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A recent study conducted by the University of Sydney focused on identifying patient safety competencies for healthcare staff treating children and young people with intellectual disabilities in hospitals. The research highlighted the need for adaptations in communication, working safely, and specific areas unique to this population. The study emphasized the importance of an adapted framework that addresses competencies for safe and quality care, including reasonable adjustments, to improve healthcare for this specific population. The findings were published in the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities and were peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the University of Western Australia focused on parents' experiences in managing the health of their child with intellectual disabilities. The research aimed to understand what parents wish they had known earlier and the essential knowledge and skills needed to support their child's health. Through qualitative interviews with 21 parents, five key themes emerged, highlighting the importance of mutual engagement between healthcare professionals and families, effective healthcare planning, timely access to information, finding necessary support, and navigating healthcare and disability systems. The study emphasized the complexity of managing the health of children with intellectual disabilities and the significance of improving health literacy skills to enhance parental management of their children's health conditions. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, focused on factors associated with acute care service use after epilepsy hospitalization in individuals with intellectual disabilities. The research identified various demographic, socio-economic, and health status variables that influenced unplanned readmission and emergency department presentation within 30 or 365 days post-hospitalization. The findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions to improve continuity of care and highlight the need for person-centered multidisciplinary care across different health sectors for this population. [Extracted from the article]

The article discuses the criminal justice system in Australia with a focus on people deemed unfit to plead or stand trial for crimes due to cognitive and intellectual disabilities. Emphasis is given to topics such as indefinite detention and supervision for unfit defendants, the imprisonment and release of disabled defendant Marlon Noble, and the treatment of Indigenous people with disabilities.

A recent scoping review conducted by investigators at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, explored the supports provided to individuals with intellectual disability and dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) when eating and drinking in different environments. The review found that the most commonly reported support was safety strategies to prevent health consequences, along with training carers in these strategies. However, there was a lack of focus on the psychosocial needs of individuals with intellectual disability and dysphagia, as well as limited consideration of their experiences in social community environments. The study highlights the need for further research and collaboration with individuals with intellectual disability and dysphagia to improve supports for eating outside the home. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the transformation that has taken place concerning the care and control of people with serious mental illness in most advanced capitalist societies since the eighteenth century. It consists of a historical survey that highlights criticisms over the failure of previous lunacy reform interventions. It also gives a brief overview of the mental health system as it developed in England and then in Australia.

A recent study conducted by the University of New South Wales in Australia explored the experiences of parents with children who have intellectual disabilities in the context of patient safety in hospitals. The study involved interviews with parents from various backgrounds and identified eight themes related to safety in hospital care for children with intellectual disabilities. These themes included the importance of feeling safe, negative attitudes compromising care, the role of parents as safety advocates, the need for effective communication and care coordination, the need for adjustments in systems and environments, inequity in care, the need for disability-specific training, and the importance of core staff attributes. The study concluded that the development of an adapted Patient Safety Education Framework should address these issues and transform staff attitudes to provide safer and better care. [Extracted from the article]

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia has been under scrutiny since its launch ten years ago. While over 610,000 Australians receive NDIS funding, the majority of the 4.4 million people with disabilities in the country are not participants. The review of the NDIS is calling for state and federal services outside the scheme to provide more support. The review is likely to propose a new inter-governmental agreement and national commitments to improve support for children with developmental delays and people with disabilities linked to mental health. The review may also clarify the relationship between the NDIS and Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031. The negotiations between federal and state governments about funding and delivering services are expected to be tense, but it is important to prioritize the inclusion and needs of people with disabilities. [Extracted from the article]

People with cognitive disability who become labelled as offenders have often faced significant social, psychological, and economic hardship. If the person is an Indigenous Australian, these issues may be compounded by racism and entrenched disadvantage. The criminal justice system can perpetuate the difficulties in people's lives. The principles of relationship-based practice may be one way to better respond to people with cognitive disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the rate of suicide cases in Australia. It was inferred that the country has recorded the highest number of suicide in 1997 when it accounted to 14.7 per 100,000 people of the total population. It was observed that suicide rates were higher in the rural regions and in some indigenous communities in the country. It shows that psychosocial problems, such as mental disorders have been the cause of suicide which comprised 90 percent of the death in the country. It states that certain issues including sexual abuse, domestic violence and unemployment need to be addressed by health professionals which are believed to be some of the factors that causes suicide from among individuals.

The article discusses the findings of the study concerning the employment of mentally-ill persons in Australia. It reveals that these people have better symptom control, greater self-esteem, life satisfaction and financial security. It states that mentally ill are barred from work due to lack of education, training, effects of psychiatric symptoms, reduced expectations of work capacity and job design problems. It suggests the mental health and related authorities to assist these people to be employed again, and address the barriers that block their progress.

The article offers information on the The Recovery and Accommodation Project (RAP) in Australia. RAP is a focus group design research project investigating community housing options for people who have experienced an acute episode of mental illness. Doctor Graeme Browne will lead the project. The research team has established strong links with the Mental Health and Disability Related Homelessness Committee, which is expected to play a key role in implementing new Government measures for housing in this area.

The article presents an evaluation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for people with intellectual disability in Australia in June 2018.

The article presents the discussion by Australia's Centre for the Mind director Allan Snyder on savant syndrome. During the meeting of the Royal Society, Snyder cites one study which reveals that all people are displaying extraordinary skills associated with savant syndrome. He explains that autistic savants often display uncommon abilities in art, music, calendar calculating, mathematics or spatial areas. He adds that they tend to see a more literal, less filtered view of the world.

The article offers information related to the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID) in West Australia (WA) as of December 2018. Topics mentioned include the presentation on Rethinking Organisations-Innovation in the disability sector, delivered by Kate Fulton from Individualised Services, the committee meeting every third Tuesday using Zoom videoconferencing, and the appointment of communications officer Eddie Drury.

The article offers the author's insights on the social care systems in Great Britain and Australia. Topics discussed include the National Health Service (NHS) in Great Britain, people with learning disabilities and autism service provider Dimensions, and services for people with learning disabilities.

The article reports that the Federation is negotiating with the Australian Department of Education and Training (DET) and the Education Ministry over the proposed changes in the School Learning Support Program and funding for students with mental disorders. Under the proposed model, the DET has written to all schools with notional allocations details regarding staffing and funds guidelines. It is said that the program's allocation includes the elimination of specialist support positions as outlined.

The article reports that golfers with mental disability from Australia will compete at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China. The golf team from Australia will compete over nine or 18 holes. The World Games will take place from October 2 to 11, 2007. Catriona Barry, CEO for Special Olympics Australia, described the significance of the event for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Provides information on the Giant Steps, a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia. Aim of the school; Efforts of the school to integrate autistic teenagers in the mainstream community; Support of Nestlé to the school.

Reports that at least 1,045 intellectually disabled girls have been sterilized in Australia since 1992, but only 17 were authorized.

Australian gene-editing rules adopt 'middle ground'. Russia creating its own ultrasound system to treat tumours. AstraZeneca research shows significant gaps in online sources of information for lung cancer patients. BCG Digital Ventures and Sartorius launch the world's first voice powered digital assistant for scientists. Brexit leads to 25 per cent decline in UK clinical trials. BD launches new patient safety program for hospitals in Asia. Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2020 opens for nominations. Bayer, NUS Enterprise partner to start Healthy Hearts, Healthy Aging initiative. Smartfuture's S$100 Health Kit rental service saves business time and money. Chugai, A*STAR research project to develop new virus antibody to fight against dengue. Special Olympics Asia Pacific launches fitness app for people with intellectual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research which was conducted by researcher Emma Baker and her colleagues at the University of Adelaide in Australia and found that 25% of intellectually disabled people and 34% of mentally ill people in Australia are at increased risk of being homeless and need the greatest amounts of accommodation assistance.

The article reports on a fund package called the Mental Health Nurses Initiative that will enable specialist mental health nurses to provide services in the community for people with severe mental health disorders in Australia in 2007. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Brett Mason, announced the fund. The Australian General Practice Network hopes the nurses will help reduce hospitalizations and improve outcomes for patients.

There is a lack of research data about children with disabilities across the range of child and family welfare services. The study reported in this paper explored the extent and nature of disabilities in children in a variety of programmes within OzChild, an Australian welfare agency. Caseworkers and teachers working with children at the beginning of 2012 considered all children receiving services from their programmes. Of these 475 children, 200 were identified as having a disability. This article presents data on these 200 children and recommendations for improving outcomes for them. A major finding was that disability added further layers of complexity to already complex child–carer/family situations presenting to under-resourced practitioners and programmes. There was an extensive variety of disabilities across all programme areas, and varying proportions across programmes ranging from 29 per cent in kinship care and family services to 44 per cent of children in foster care. Data were suggestive of problems with some diagnoses, and the need for further research in these areas. The need to address questions of causation of environmentally based disability through preventative programmes, and a more targeted approach to families with multiple and complex needs were indicated. Lack of respite care was jeopardising some placements of children with severe disability. Lack of educational achievement and participation in social, cultural and recreational activities were identified, as were inequities in funding across different programme areas – all of which resulted in some children with disabilities continuing to be substantially disadvantaged. These data led to the generation of recommendations for changes to practice, programme and policy to improve outcomes for children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article lists the companies that offer plant and pet products in Australia which includes Austral Water Gardens for aquatic plants, Heritage Fruit Trees for fruits and Country Dahlias for dahlias.

The article lists retail establishments in Australia catering to products including nurseries, landscape and pet supplies.

This is the second of a two-part discussion about the development of residential care services in Australia. It contains a review of some of the recent literature on residential care from Australia, the UK, Canada and the USA. It concludes with a look at the major themes and issues that emerge from this literature as well as the service trends and developments canvassed in Part I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's insights on the impact of the welfare system in Australia on disability support recipients and a report on a regime that requires job searching. Topics include the role of Patrick McClure of McClure, a welfare review organization, and Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews in offering work and opportunities for people with mental illnesses such those with bipolar disorder, and microbusiness as an option for unemployed older people with mental illness.

This section offers news briefs on architecture in Australia. The government of the Australian Capital Territory is funding a $100,000 planning study for the Melbourne, Victoria and Sydney, New South Wales Buildings and upgrades to the surrounds. A plan to build six islands at Fremantle's North Quay in Western Australia has been proposed by North Port Quay. The state government of South Australia has stripped planning powers from the Adelaide City Council for projects over $10 million following the Development Assessment Panel's rejection of Tower 8.

Presents information on the results of a study conducted by Graeme Browne, a nursing researcher and mental health nurse, regarding the impact of accommodation provisions on schizophrenic patients of mental health services following discharge in Australia. Attitude of patients living in their own accommodation; Benefits of living in one's own house for the patient; Significance of the decision of mental health patients to their own lifestyles and treatment.