9. Age and Health

9.1 Children and Young People

The DRS believes:
9.1.1  All children and young people have the right to seek and receive medical advice and treatment.

9.1.2  Young people should be involved in all decisions relevant to their health. This is a right, and should include a legal right to refuse treatment.  (see also Health Rights 2.4 and 2.6)

9.1.3  There should be a range of services available that are specifically designed to cater for young people, and organised with their involvement.

9.1.4  All young people should have a guaranteed right to privacy and confidentiality between them and their medical advisers.  This confidentiality should be broken only in exceptional circumstances.   (see also Health Rights 2.9)

9.1.5  Doctors acting in good faith and within these guidelines should be protected by the law.

(see also Violence and Aggression 15.2 Childhood)

 

9.2  Aged Care and Older People

The DRS believes that:

9.2.1    The average age of the world population and the Australian population is increasing, with a relative fall in the number of informal carers

9.2.2    The global disease profile is moving from infectious to non-communicable and chronic disease, including cognitive decline, whereas health systems are designed to manage acute, episodic events;

9.2.2.1 We support Age-Friendly Community Based Primary Health Care, asdescribed by the World Health Organisation in the  Perth Framework for Age-Friendly Community-Based Primary Health Care;

9.2.3 Older people may be socially, economically, physically and psychologically vulnerable;

9.2.4 The wellbeing of older Australians relies on the promotion of their independence, the availability of choice regarding their accommodation and healthcare, and their engagement with the community; this includes comprehensive support for informal carers.

9.2.5 The Australian Aged Care system should cater for diversity amongst older people.

9.2.5.1 This includes, but is not limited to, culturally and linguistically diverse older people, older socially and financially disadvantaged people, those living in rural and remote areas, Indigenous people, those with physical or mental disability, and older gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

9.2.6 Access to healthcare, including palliative care, should be available for all older Australians;

9.2.7 Advanced care planning should be available to all older Australians who have the mental capacity to participate in it.