Community
10 April, 2026
Diability liaison officer appointed
FOR many people with a disability, going to regular medical appointments can have a number of additional challenges and hurdles.
South West Healthcare is committed to making healthcare inclusive and accessible to all in the community with the introduction of a dedicated disability liaison officer on staff for those who need assistance navigating the health service.
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, advocacy during appointments among other supports.
This free service is available at Warrna-mbool Base Hospital, Warrnambool Community Health, Camperdown Community Health and Camperdown Hospital.
Since his appointment in June 2025, Jason has supported over 150 people with disabilities and their families/carers access care at South West Healthcare.
Grace Kavanagh, primary carer for her son James, has been a vocal advocate for the service.
“I think it’s great now with Jason on board, he’s been amazing,” Grace said.
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, Grace has become a passionate advocate for inclusion throughout workplaces, communities and conversations.
She believes respect starts with simple actions.
This includes individual care plans that are empathetic to a person’s needs, fears and preferences.
“You don’t have to yell at people with disabilities, they can hear you and if someone is non-verbal, talk to them directly,” she said.
“They understand everything you say. People often ignore them, but they know and feel everything.”
Grace said Jason (Kelly) had 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.
“It’s quick and easy to read and makes such a difference,” she said.
“It’ll say things like you’ve got to put the seat belts on him. James has a mouth guard that’s cemented in and he’s included that – that it’s cemented in, it doesn’t come out.
“He also hates the suction tip, so you’ve got to put a soft one in. Jason has put all this information in there and as soon as he knows James is in hospital, he’ll just hand it over.
“James was in hospital recently, and I had the flu so I couldn’t visit him. Jason went to see James every day and he messaged me to say he was doing well.”
For Grace, sleepless nights are a regular reality.
“Some days I’m just exhausted. I just need sleep. It’s very challenging when you’ve got to get up in the middle of the night to assist James,” she said.
Jason, with 25 years’ experience in disability advocacy, 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”.
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.
