The first masterclass in the series ‘Medicines for health, not control’, is part of an action plan addressing the ‘Joint Statement on the Inappropriate Use of Psychotropic Medicines to Manage the Behaviours of People with Disability and Older People.’

The Joint Statement was launched in March 2021 by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission), and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC).

The Joint Statement came in response to Royal Commission evidence that psychotropic medications were overused and misused for older people and people with disability to control behaviour, rather than for the therapeutic purposes for which the drugs were intended.

The second masterclass 'Health Checks and Lifestyle Interventions', responds to findings within Scoping review of causes and contributors to deaths of people with disability in Australia by Professor Trollor and Dr Salomon. The masterclass presents research and strategies to address some of the contributors to deaths of people with disability.

The masterclasses are offered to providers for free, in partnership with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Masterclass 1: Medicines for health, not control: A Call to Action for Providers

In this first masterclass, we will hear from Life Without Barriers about the recent feasibility study to provide education to frontline staff about psychotropics, behaviour support, and working with medical professionals.

Professor Shoumi Deb will provide insight into the SPECTROM resources used in the study. SPECTROM is short for 'short-term psycho-education for carers to reduce over-medication of people with intellectual disabilities'. Mandy Donley, Victorian Senior Practitioner will also speak about actions to reduce the use of chemical restraint.

Register for Masterclass 1: Medicines for health, not control: A Call to Action for Providers

Masterclass 2: Health Checks and Lifestyle Interventions

Update Friday 15 July: We apologise, this Masterclass is now fully subscribed and we are no longer taking registrations.

In the second Masterclass, Professor Julian Trollor of the University of New South Wales will share research and practical resources in an interactive Masterclass on supporting health checks and promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

Senior Service Managers will have the opportunity to discuss important factors and challenges for supporting healthy lifestyles with colleagues, and be guided by Professor Trollor to consider actions.

Register for Masterclass 2: Health Checks and Lifestyle Interventions

We hope you can join us.