Outcome 1

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by, EMHS

EMHS published the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2025-2030. A new committee was formed to coordinate its implementation and ensure a service-wide focus on accessibility. The committee comprises key stakeholders from each hospital group as well as consumer representation, elevating the voices of people with lived experience. 

To improve access to services and events by people with invisible disabilities, EMHS has joined the internationally recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative. A working group has been established to build awareness and enhance staff capabilities to enable a roll-out over 2026-27. 

Consumers and staff were invited to join in an accessible and inclusive program of events to recognise International Day of People with Disability. This included an interactive ‘Unity in Inclusion Story Wall’ display at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), and participation in the Disability Health Network event was offered both online and in person.

Outcome 2

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities of EMHS 

Through regular and ongoing maintenance of EMHS buildings, grounds, car parks and facilities, we ensure compliance with relevant building codes and work to continuously improve accessibility of facilities. Enhancements include:

• installation of 2 rest stations on Level 3 at RPH, catering for bariatric and disabled patients 
• updates to bathroom signage during refurbishments and developments across EMHS sites, to support our dementia plan and other inclusion aims 
• construction of a disability compliant footpath at Armadale Hospital (AH), connecting the Mental Health Unit to overflow parking 
• modification of the entry to occupational therapy facilities at Ward 10 at Bentley Hospital (BH) to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids.

Outcome 3

People with disability receive information from EMHS in a format that will enable them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it

EMHS publications and patient information are regularly reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of healthcare users, includes adequate information, is available in different formats and uses appropriate language. Our website and digital products are designed to comply with the WA Government’s Accessibility and Inclusivity Standard and meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 Level AA standards.  

In 2025-26, we responded to different audience information needs by: 

• providing multimedia displays with subtitling in physiotherapy waiting rooms to provide consumers with information on what to expect during appointments 
• ensuring ophthalmology resources use larger print, with an audit underway to ensure older resources are brought up to standard 
• developing the Mental health care in hospital booklet into an easy read format and supplementing the digital version of the booklet with a spoken voice option. The voice recordings are also linked to the print version via a QR code.

Outcome 4

People with disability receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of EMHS as other people receive from the staff of EMHS

EMHS continued to offer flexible services that respond to the needs of our varied consumers, such as through the expansion of the Home Hospital initiative at RPH. This initiative provides access for treatment and follow-up for patients, including those with a disability, by a multidisciplinary team in their own home. 

Additionally, Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG) commenced the NDIS and Long Stay Project to proactively identify, advocate and support people with disability at the intersection of health and disability systems. The project promotes early, coordinated, person-centred discharge planning with patients and their support networks, to improve patient outcomes and reduce length of stay associated with disability support barriers. 

Bentley Hospital’s Older Adult Mental Health Unit has developed an accessible occupational therapy program, including seated physical exercise, horticultural therapy using new accessible raised garden beds, and sensory interventions to reduce patient distress through ‘animal therapy’ from an advanced interactive robot seal (PARO).

Outcome 5

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to EMHS

EMHS regularly reviews compliance with complaints management processes to maximise the way feedback and complaints are received and to ensure they meet the accessibility needs of consumers.  

A variety of methods are available for providing feedback and lodging complaints, including via paper-based forms, web submissions, e-mail, phone, in person and via staff/volunteers assisting to compile complaints. Patient feedback is monitored, including quarterly review at Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Committee meetings. 

Across EMHS hospitals (and particularly in emergency departments) visual aids and telecommunications equipment have been installed to ensure that consumers are aware of consumer-initiated care escalation pathways, such as ‘Aishwarya’s CARE call’.

Outcome 6

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by EMHS

Consumers with lived experience of physical, mental and hidden disability are consistently involved in shaping services through regular participation in planning, evaluation, and improvement activities across EMHS. Consumer representatives actively participate on governance committees and advisory groups. Staff and consumers with a lived experience of disability are members of the EMHS Disability Access and Inclusion Committee and are involved in the review of services, policies and programs.

Outcome 7

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to obtain and maintain employment with EMHS

EMHS is committed to removing barriers for people with a disability to obtain and maintain employment within the organisation. The newly formed Disability Access and Inclusion Plan committee established 2 working groups focussed on employment. One is developing recruitment programs targeted at people with disability, and the other is developing streamlined processes to provide workplace adjustments for both new and existing employees. Both initiatives are expected to be implemented in 2026-27.