2 June, 2016

I was an informal carer for my Wife who endured a progressive loss of ability.

Discrimination became most obvious when she became reliant on an electric wheel chair for mobility. The chair itself being heavy and unable to climb steps made visiting friends and relatives difficult.

As my Wife's ability to transfer reduced then visits to the Doctor and more obviously the Dentist became an injury risk for me as her carer. Health facility employees are governed by OH&S limitations on lifting and assisting with transfers. It then becomes the responsibility of the carer to perform the hazardous transfer. Or in the case of the Doctor full examination or treatment out of the chair is not offered.

My idea is to enforce the Disability Discrimination Legislation which has been around for at least 25 years. Failing that a carrot in the form of a similar payment to the Victorian Taxi handling/processing payment could be extended to medical and dental facilities for each mechanically assisted transfer performed. This fee would cover the cost of mobile hoists and slings.