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Supporting people with disability

Providing people with disability the help they need to navigate the health system

Supporting people with disability

Supporting people with disability to access health services is essential to inclusive health care.

SMHS is committed to ensuring that people living with disability, their families and carers have the same access to our facilities, services and information as other members of the community in accordance with the Disability Services Act 1993 (external site).

Understanding the health care journey

Read information to help patients, carers and families understand essential parts of the health care journey, including:

  • Your rights and responsibilities as a patient (Healthy WA)
  • Preparing for your stay in hospital (Healthy WA)
  • Giving informed consent in hospital (Healthy WA)
  • During your hospital stay (Healthy WA)
  • Going home after a stay in hospital (Healthy WA).

Easy read Hospital Stay Guidelines

The Hospital Stay Guidelines PDF (4.2MB) aim to improve the hospital experience for people with disability and empower people to have more say in their health care.

The guidelines support the State Disability Strategy 2020-2030 (external site) and include the following easy read resources:

  • Getting ready for hospital (PDF 3MB)
  • Going to hospital (PDF 3MB)
  • At the hospital (PDF 3MB)
  • Going home after hospital (PDF 3MB)

The Disability health profile admission form (PDF 130KB) captures information about a person’s disability and assists hospital staff to understand their needs and requirements. 

Hidden disability sunflower tool

Some disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others.

The Hidden Disability Sunflower is a simple tool some people use to share they have a disability or condition which may not be immediately apparent and that they may need a helping hand, understanding or more time. 
 
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was introduced across Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding. Staff who wear the lanyard have completed an awareness training module enabling them to know what to say and how to support those they see wearing the green sunflower print to access our services.

Empowering health consumers with disabilities resources

The Health Consumers' Council WA (external site) and People with Disabilities (WA) (external site) have produced booklets and videos to assist people with disability to navigate the health system and prepare for a hospital admission including:

  • outlining health care rights
  • where to go for help
  • key considerations across the entire hospital journey. 

Access these resources (external site).

 

 

Last Updated: 28/04/2025
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