GATEWAY PROJECT

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:51): Will the Minister for Disability inform the council about the Gateway project to be implemented from May?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:51): I would like to thank the honourable member for his most important question. The commonwealth has initiated a report entitled Who Cares...? inquiring into better support for carers 2009, which recommends that there should be a focus on carers who do not self-identify or may be reluctant to disclose their role as a carer, a very important segment of the caring community.

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index Survey 2007 found that carers had the lowest collective health and wellbeing score of any large group surveyed. Disability, ageing and carers undertook the Gateway (Taking Care of Carers) project in 2010-11 with the rural divisions of general practice to increase awareness of carers and assist general practices to refer people to carer support services.

Working with general practitioners was considered a high priority because of the unique position this sector has to identify carers and monitor their physical and emotional health. Access to information and support for carers at an earlier stage will assist with maintaining carer health and well being and will improve the sustainability of the caring role.

Taking Care of Carers leaflets and posters have been developed to assist people accessing GP services to recognise themselves as carers and to direct them to the appropriate support services. This month, the metropolitan Gateway rollout will occur in conjunction with the Access2HomeCare (A2HC), with carers referred to A2HC and then to the appropriate local carer support service. Local carer support services will work with carers to identify their needs, whether it be counselling, respite or just further information.

Information packs will be delivered to practice managers, with leaflets placed and monitored within 180 general practices in the Adelaide metropolitan region for the next 14 months. Additionally, website content accessible through the SA government website has been developed specifically for GPs and health professionals to assist in the rollout of the gateways project.

The Gateway project will enable local carer support services to capitalise on increased carer awareness by strengthening their relationships with general practices in their region. Also, nominations for the SA Carers Recognition Awards are now open and close on 13 July 2012. These awards acknowledge businesses and organisations that provide outstanding responses to carers. Entry to the South Australian Carers Recognition Awards is open to all businesses, not-for-profit organisations, government agencies and general practices operating in South Australia.

To come back to the point of the question, the government is very concerned to deal with that section of the caring community who do not necessarily see themselves as carers and wants to make sure that they have access to the services that will make their lives and their caring responsibility easier into the future.