New Service for young adults with disabilities

Mater Adult Hospital has recently developed a new program to provide a clinical health service for young adults with a disability, called SHAD (Specialist Healthcare for Adults with Disabilities).

The SHAD Clinic was created to address the chronic and complex health conditions that affect people with disabilities and also provide a smooth transition for young adults with a disability from child health care into an adult health facility.

Dr Robyn Wallace, the coordinator of SHAD said that there are more than 370 children who are patients of Mater Children's Hospital Complex Care service, with many who have outgrown this service as they now face adulthood.

“Given that many of these patients react to change, the aim of the SHAD clinic is to facilitate a smooth, effective, safe and quality interaction with the patient with disabilities, their cares and the hospital staff when they require health care.

“Patients who are eligible for this service are any person over the age of 18 years who has a disability, have been previously a patient of Mater Children's Hospital or have been referred to the service by their local community general practitioner.

“Studies have proven that these patients have a higher life expectancy when they have access to better health care facilities and opportunities,” Dr Wallace said.

Currently, no other service like SHAD exists in Australia and so far it has been well-received in the community.

SHAD is a weekly clinic that is held every Tuesday afternoon at the Mater Adult Hospital. For referral information, please contact the clinic on +61 7 3480 8654.