For several years, Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has led a campaign to have the provision of adjustable-height examination beds made mandatory in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices.
WWDA has worked on this issue alongside People With Disability Australia (PWDA) and in more recent times, the Physical Disability Council NSW (PDCN), and Council on the Ageing NSW (COTA), joined forces in this national effort. Support for the campaign was also given by the Australian Human Rights Commission. In late 2009, WWDA, PWDA, PDCN and COTA (NSW) developed a joint Submission to the RACGP as part of the consultations for the Review of the RACGP Standards for General Practices. The Submission clearly articulated the groups position that the provision of adjustable-height examination beds be made a mandatory requirement in the RACGP Standards for General Practices.
The collective Submission to the RACGP from WWDA, PWDA, PDCN and COTA (NSW) was finalised in late November 2009 and endorsed by more than 200 organisations and individuals (available at: www.wwda.org.au/subs2006.htm).
The RACGP has just released its draft 4th edition of the Standards which propose height adjustable examination beds do become mandatory. The Standards are draft at this stage and subject to a 3 month consultation phase.
For more information please read this media release from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Please also read Women with disabilities need pap smears too!, which includes information about metropolitan cervix screening services and whether they have adjustable beds and a lift or hoist available.
