The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards support the right of people with intellectual disability to equitable health care. People with intellectual disability experience significant barriers in accessing safe and quality care evident through a higher mortality rate, increased incidence of preventable illness and more frequent hospital admissions.

In this section, you will find guidance and resources for implementation of the NSQHS Standards, to support healthcare rights and provision of inclusive health care.

During COVID-19, people with cognitive impairment may find hospital even more frightening than usual. In recognition of this changed environment, the Commission developed resources to support health service organisations to provide safe care for people with cognitive impairment during the pandemic.

Cognitive impairment in hospital is often associated with adverse outcomes, such as falls. For some people with cognitive impairment and for their carers and families, a hospital stay can be a negative experience. Staff may struggle to provide the right care in the absence of appropriate education and training.

In recognition of cognitive impairment as an important safety and quality issue, the Commission has included specific items in NSQHS Standards (second edition).

Through the cognitive impairment program, the Commission is supporting health service organisations to improve the safety and quality of health care for people with cognitive impairment. 

As part of the Caring for Cognitive Impairment Campaign many hospitals shared their initiatives to improve the recognition and care of people with cognitive impairment. Stories about your initiatives are still welcome; to share your organisation's initiatives for publication on the cognitivecare.gov.au site submit your story or email cognitive.impairment@safetyandquality.gov.au. 

The Commission has developed a range of resources to help improve the safety and quality of health care for people with cognitive impairment or at risk of delirium.