Community
20 March, 2026
New disability liaison officer streamlines access
SOUTH West Healthcare has introduced a dedicated disability liaison to staff recently, increasing accessibility to healthcare services for people living with a disability.
Disability liaison officer Jason Kelly works closely with people with disability and their carers to ensure safe, inclusive and streamlined care experiences across hospital and community health by ensuring patients have assistance with parking access and wayfinding, reading and understanding instructions and advocacy during appointments, among other supports.
The free service is available at Camperdown Community Health and Camperdown Hospital, as well as in Warrnambool.
Since his appointment in June 2025, Mr Kelly has supported over 150 people with disabilities and their families and carers to access care at South West Healthcare.
Grace Kavanagh, primary carer for her son James, has been a vocal advocate for the service.
Being a primary carer comes with enormous responsibility and challenges, which is why having someone to ease the physical and emotional load is so important.
Following her experiences as a carer, Ms Kavanagh has become a passionate advocate for inclusion throughout workplaces, communities and conversations.
She said respect starts with simple actions – like individual care plans which are empathetic to a person’s needs, fears and preferences.
“You don’t have to yell at people with disabilities they can hear you,” Ms Kavanagh said.
“And if someone is non-verbal, talk to them directly. They understand everything you say.
“People often ignore them, but they know and feel everything.
“Jason’s written a care plan so when James does have to go to hospital, he takes it to the care team so they know exactly what he needs.
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“It’s quick and easy to read and makes such a difference.”
Ms Kavanagh said the plan written by Mr Kelly included a number of measures which made hospital trips easy, safe and comfortable for her son.
“It’ll say in there, you know, you’ve got to put the seat belts on him,” she said.
“James has a mouth guard that’s cemented in and he’s included that – that it’s cemented in and doesn’t come out.
“He’s put all this information in there and as soon as he knows James is in hospital, he’ll just hand it over to him.
“James was in hospital recently and I had the flu so I couldn’t visit him.
“Jason went to see him every day and messaged me to say he was doing well.”
For Mr Kelly, with 25 years of experience in disability advocacy, he is driven by giving back to his community.
“I just love what I do - it’s a privilege to advocate for people with disability and support communication of their needs to medical teams to ensure they have the best healthcare experience possible,” Mr Kelly said.
If you or someone you know would like support accessing disability care at South West Healthcare, you can self-refer to the disability liaison service by calling 0478 258 117 or emailing disabilityliaisonofficer@swh.net.au.
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