At Northern Health, Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) are health professionals who work to make healthcare more accessible for people with disabilities.
We help in the implementation of disability action plans and support health staff to better understand and meet the needs of people with disabilities.
DLO supports people with a disability, their families and carers to utilise hospital services that are safe, accessible and inclusive.
The DLO helps patients with disabilities feel more comfortable and get the support they need during their hospital stay.
The DLO can help you prepare for surgery and make it easier for you to go to your outpatient appointments. In doing so, we provide training to healthcare teams so they can confidently understand and respond to the unique needs of people with disability, helping to create a more inclusive and accessible health system.
Health staff with a disability or working with patients with a disability are also welcome to reach out.
What DLOs do:
- A central point of contact for a person with a disability, their families and carers.
- Help to navigate the health care system and link with programs across Northern Health.
- Connect you with your local health supports and NDIS.
- Assistance with booking hospital appointments.
- Support any adjustments to match your accessibility needs.
- Make sure you have the support and care you need to support your health care.
- Ensuring inclusive care for all with a disability from LGBTIQA+, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and CALD backgrounds
- Work with your healthcare team to make sure that the team knows about your disability-related needs and has the right tools and skills to help with them. Ensure your hospital stay or outpatient clinic appointment is safe, accessible and inclusive
Our Disability Action Plan 2023-26
Contact: Monday-Friday 8 am – 5 pm
Deepmala Awasthi
