Hospital Stay Guideline Consultation

Overview

The Hospital Stay Guideline for Hospitals and Disability Service Organisations (the Guideline) was developed by the Disability Health Network in 2016 and outlines a best practice approach for disability service organisations and hospitals in managing the hospital experience of individuals with disability.

The WA National Disability Service and the Disability Health Network have partnered to review and update the Guideline. Originally for hospitals and disability service organisations, the updated Guideline has been expanded to include information and resources for people with disability, families and carers.

The Guideline sets the best practice approach to delivering improved hospital experience for people with disability. The Guideline covers all areas of the health system and disability sector for individuals with a complex disability including:

• Attending the emergency department
• Attending an outpatient clinic at a hospital or health campus
• Being admitted to hospital
• Being discharged from hospital back into the community.

The Guideline has three parts for each of the following target groups:

• Part 1: A guide for people with disability, families and carers
• Part 2: A guide for Disability Service Organisations and support workers
• Part 3: A guide for hospital staff