Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 Outcomes Framework: First annual report

Preventive and early intervention health services that are timely, comprehensive, appropriate and effective support better overall health and wellbeing. People with disability experience preventable health conditions and comorbidities at higher rates than people without disability, placing them at substantially higher risk of adverse health outcomes. Access to early interventions, regular health assessments and rehabilitation improves long-term outcomes for individuals and can help to reduce future costs of care and support (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031).

Avoidable emergency presentations

A visit to a hospital emergency department where the care or service received in emergency could have, instead, been provided by a general practitioner (GP) is an avoidable emergency presentation. Factors such as cost, geographic location, accessibility of facilities and unavailability of other health services can affect which health service is visited (AIHW 2020).

The desired key system outcome for this measure is that primary health care provides people with disability with high-quality prevention and early intervention services when they need them.

Results at baseline: 2018

• In 2018, 119,500 people with disability of all ages, felt that a GP could have provided care for their latest emergency department visit.
• The number fell between 2012 (136,000) and 2015 (114,000); however, there was no real change between 2015 (114,000) and 2018 (119,500) (Figure 7.3).
• In 2018, there was no significant difference between the number of females and males with disability who felt that a GP could have provided care for their latest emergency department visit (55,300 and 64,200, respectively).
• Those aged 65 and over had a considerably higher number of avoidable emergency presentations (42,100) than younger age groups: those aged under 15 (12,300), aged 15–24 (9,900) and aged 25–44 (23,500).
• Fewer people with severe or profound disability felt that a GP could have provided care for their latest emergency (43,600) than people with other disability (75,900).

Latest results

Updated data are not yet available for this measure. New data from the 2022 ABS SDAC are expected to be available in the first half of 2024 and included in the 2024 annual report.

Things to consider when interpreting results

• Data are restricted to people with disability living in households who have been to a hospital emergency department for own health in the last 12 months. Data are based on subjective assessment of the person with disability, not that of a medical professional.
• Data exclude people who did not know if a GP could have provided care for the most recent visit to an emergency department.

For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Avoidable emergency presentations.

Medical facility accessibility

Like everyone, people with disability have a range of health care needs, and access a variety of health services and facilities, including GPs, dentists and hospitals. People with disability may encounter barriers that limit their access to these facilities, which can negatively affect their access to health care.

Better outcomes for people with disability are achieved when health providers deliver communication, services and facilities that are accessible and appropriate (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031).

The desired population outcome for this measure is to see an increase in long-term wellbeing for people with disability.

Results at baseline: 2018

• In 2018, 14% of people with disability aged 5 and over had difficulty accessing medical facilities. This was a 3-percentage point increase from 11% in 2015 (Figure 7.4).
• In 2018, females with disability were more likely to report difficulty accessing medical facilities than males with disability (15% and 12%, respectively).
• People with disability aged 65 and over had a significantly higher proportion of those having difficulty accessing medical facilities (17%) than younger age groups: 5–14 (6.5%), 15–24 (10%) and 25–44 (11%).
• People with severe or profound disability were more likely to experience difficulty accessing medical facilities (16%) than people with other disability (8.8%).

Latest results

Updated data are not yet available for this measure. New data from the 2022 ABS SDAC are expected to be available in the first half of 2024 and included in the 2024 annual report.

Things to consider when interpreting results

• Data are restricted to people with disability aged 5 and over living in households who need assistance or have difficulty with communication or mobility, and who leave home.

For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Medical facility accessibility.

References

AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2020) Coordination of health care: experiences of barriers to accessing health services among patients aged 45 and over, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 5 September 2022.

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (2021), Department of Social Services, Australian Government, accessed 15 August 2022.