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The Australian Human Rights Commission has congratulated the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) for its decision to ensure that height adjustable examination beds are available in each General Practice.

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes, said the Commission had advocated for this for a number of years and said it was an important decision that would help to improve health outcomes experienced by people with disability compared to those of the broader population.

“One small but important barrier to equitable health outcomes for people with disability has been the lack of availability of height adjustable examination beds in general practices,” Commissioner Innes said.

“The lack of these beds has resulted in missed opportunities for thorough and dignified examinations and screening," he said.

Commissioner Innes acknowledged the original research on this issue undertaken by Sheila King, and congratulated Women with Disabilities Australia, People with Disability Australia, Physical Disability Council NSW and COTA NSW on their advocacy in bringing about this change.

“The availability of height adjustable examination beds will improve the capacity of health professionals to effectively examine and screen all patients,” Mr Innes said.

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