COVID-19 Health Professionals Disability Advisory Service, a telephone advisory service established by the Commonwealth Department of Health, will be available from Tuesday, 7 July. The service will provide specialised advice exclusively for health professionals responsible for the medical care of people with disability diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Healthdirect Australia has been engaged to manage the service - calls will be answered by health professionals with disability service qualifications and experience working with people with disability. From Tuesday, Health professionals can call the service on 1800 131 330 between 7am – 11pm (AEST) 7 days a week. The service will be available for a six week trial, at which point it will be assessed based on utilisation and future need. 

The service aims to support people with disability to receive more tailored support from mainstream health in relation to COVID-19 testing and/or medical treatment with minimum distress. People with disability may become very anxious in particular situations and require reasonable adjustments to their healthcare to ensure they receive appropriate access to care. Specific support may be required to address communication and management issues, such as behaviours of concern and the reduction of risk to the patient and staff involved in the process.

At this time when COVID-19 is continuing to infect individuals and communities to varying degrees around Australia, NDS supports this initiative and strongly encourages members to share information about the Advisory Service with health professionals involved with people with disability in your communities.