Minda is proud to be part of a new national initiative to improve how psychotropic medications are used to support people with intellectual and developmental disability across Australia.
The University of Canberra has secured $1.87 million in federal funding to develop a training program for disability support workers, with Minda named as one of the six partner organisations to help shape and deliver the project.
Psychotropic medications, which influence mood, behaviour, and perception, are commonly prescribed to people with intellectual disability. But growing concerns about their overuse and misuse led the 2023 Disability Royal Commission to call for urgent improvements in how these drugs are prescribed, monitored, and understood by support workers.
The new program will be co-designed with people who have lived experience of disability. It will also draw on expertise from across the health and disability sectors, including psychiatrists and allied health professionals.
University of Canberra researcher and educator Macey Barratt said around one in three people with intellectual disability are prescribed psychotropic medication, but many disability support workers feel unprepared to manage it.
“Previous research highlighted a clear interest amongst frontline staff in improving their practise and understanding of the use of psychotropic medications, but existing education programs were inaccessible, or produced outside of Australia, in health systems where language, processes and resources can differ,” Ms Barratt said.
She added this lack of access has limited workers’ understanding of the medication’s effects and their confidence in advocating for the right care.
For Minda, the project reinforces its long-standing commitment to quality care and ensuring people with disability are informed and involved in decisions about their treatment.
Chief Executive David Panter said Minda is excited to play a leading role in a project that addresses one of the sector’s most pressing issues.
“As the largest and most experienced not-for-profit intellectual disability service provider in South Australia, Minda is deeply invested in making sure the people we support receive the safest, most effective care,” Dr Panter said.
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The project is funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology program.
The national and international organisations contributing to the project, include Minda, Flinders University, Monash Health, the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health at UNSW Sydney, Aruma, and the UK’s Central and North West London NHS Trust.