Preparing paediatric public health services for disability sector reform: linking across services and sectors to translate policy into practice

Introduction: The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a transformational reform of Australia’s disability sector, bringing complete disruption to long established relationships, pathways and processes that link the disability sector with mainstream services. Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CHQHHS) and the Queensland Child and Youth Clinical Network (QCYCN) have partnered to lead an integrated approach to preparing for disability sector reform to enable paediatric health service and workforce readiness. 

Description of Policy Context: The NDIS roll-out is occurring in a complex and dynamic environment where the implications of policy decisions are fully understood only as the change occurs. Health and other services need to make informed yet flexible decisions to ensure that service models, systems and practices fit with the new context.

Targeted population: Stakeholders active in the paediatric health-disability interface

Highlights: Partnerships that enable translation and communication of the implications of disability sector reform, including the differentiated roles and responsibilities of health and disability

Collaborations that support clinical and health information systems prepare for cross-sector reform and mitigate associated risk

Robust linkages across Health Services, mainstream providers and the emerging disability sector to improve access and outcomes for children with a disability and their families.

Conclusion: The NDIS continues to be a catalyst for partnerships to enhance care for children with complex and chronic conditions and to understand and operationalise the differentiated business of the health and disability sectors. Proactive collaboration along the continuum of care and across service sectors has proved to be an efficient and effective way of building capacity ahead of the NDIS.