Chief Allied Health Practitioner: Mark Butterworth

Over the last five years I have had the privilege to oversee (with a lot of help from many of you) the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Metro North Health.

Over this time, I have been impressed with the dedication, commitment and resilience demonstrated by those caring for people with disability. As I reflect on the contribution of carers in general, I would like to acknowledge their service.

I also note that in 2008 the government of Queensland recognised in a “Carers (Recognition) Act” that “carers make a significant contribution to the people they care for and the economic and social wellbeing of the community, and that carers deserve recognition, respect and support for their role as carers; and  grandparents who are carers for their grandchildren make a significant  contribution to the lives of their grandchildren and deserve respect and support for their role as carers”.

Helping carers is one of the best ways of helping someone they are caring for and the carers charter from the Act will help carers to be supported. I encourage you to consider the 10 points outlined in the Statement for Australia’s Carers in the Act with a view to make sure we all consider carers in our work:

1. All carers should have the same rights, choices, and opportunities as other Australians, regardless of age, race, sex, disability, sexuality, religious or political beliefs, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, cultural or linguistic differences, socioeconomic status or locality.
2. Children and young people who are carers should have the same rights as all children and young people and should be supported to reach their full potential.
3. The valuable social and economic contribution that carers make to society should be recognised and supported.
4. Carers should be supported to enjoy optimum health and social wellbeing and to participate in family, social and community life.
5. Carers should be acknowledged as individuals with their own needs within and beyond the caring role.
6. The relationship between carers and the persons for whom they care should be recognised and respected.
7. Carers should be considered as partners with other care providers in the provision of care, acknowledging the unique knowledge and experience of carers.
8. Carers should be treated with dignity and respect.
9. Carers should be supported to achieve greater economic wellbeing and sustainability and, where appropriate, should have opportunities to participate in employment and education.
10. Support for carers should be timely, responsive, appropriate and accessible.

Mark.