Providing information and support to families caring for a child with an undiagnosed or rare genetic condition.
Key Issues
Victorian State Election Campaign 2022 – Key Issues
SWAN Election Campaign Template Letter
This Victorian election, SWAN is advocating for key issues that affect SWAN children and their families. We are calling on the state government to:
- Improve access to healthcare at Monash Hospital. This includes shorter waiting lists for the genetics service and the introduction of a complex care pathway, which already exists at Royal Children’s Hospital.
- Make the Carer card (WeCare Card) available to two parents. Many SWAN families benefit from using this card, but it is currently only available to one parent, as the child’s carer.
- More accessible transport. We are asking for every tram to be accessible. We are also asking the government to ensure all rideshare services in Victoria accept the Multi Purpose Taxi Program Card.
We have raised these concerns in a letter, which you are welcome to download, customise and send to your local candidate or MP. If you would like any assistance, please contact our CEO Heather Renton – 0404 280 441.
Federal Election Campaign 2022 – Key Issues
SWAN Election Campaign Template Letter
Our Community Advisory Group discussed the key issues that we should advocate for in the lead up to the Federal Election. These included:
- Diagnosis
- NDIS
- Access to Health Care
- Improved Psychological Supports
- Support for a Productivity Review of the cost of caring for a child/ young people with a chronic health condition
You can help us advocate for change by writing to your local member or candidate and letting them know what SWAN issues are important to you. You can also request a meeting with them to further discuss your concerns. We have a template letter you can download and use as is, or personalise the cover letter to share your story. Please contact our CEO Heather Renton – 0404 280 441 if you would like some help with contacting your local member or candidate or if you would like some strategies on how to make the most out of the meeting.
A voice for our community
SWAN provides a voice for the many families around Australia caring for children with complex genetic conditions. We exist to raise the profile of SWAN children, put their needs firmly on the public agenda, and ensure they are given every opportunity to thrive.
We advocate for SWAN children and families with local, state and federal governments. We aim to achieve better health, disability, education and social support for the SWAN community. Key outcomes we advocate for include:
- Fair, timely and equitable access to genetic and genomic testing.
- National Undiagnosed Disease Program (UDP), to help find answers for children who remain undiagnosed after they have had a genomic test.
- Access and improvements to support services such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
- Inclusion of all children with disabilities or health conditions in the education settings they choose.
Other key campaigns
Medicare-funded genomic testing – SWAN provided feedback to the Medical Services Advisory Committee as part of a campaign for Medicare-funded genomic testing for children with complex conditions. The campaign succeeded, with Medicare-funded testing commencing in May 2020. SWAN continues to campaign for the program to be expanded to children aged over 10 and be available for children with mild intellectual disabilities or for those who present with dysmorphic facial appearances or one or more major structural congenital anomalies.
Genetic and genomic testing – SWAN would like every SWAN child who requires a genetic or genomic test to receive one within 12 months of needing one to determine their diagnosis. We want fair and equitable access to genetic and genomic testing.
Carer payment reform – Currently only one parent is allowed to apply for the carer payment when their child is in palliative care or has a complex disability or medical needs. SWAN is campaigning for both parents to have access to the carer payment when their child is receiving palliative care.
Improved accessibility – SWAN is campaigning for an increase in accessible (disability friendly) toilets and change rooms in public places, as well as accessible car parking.
NDIS Reform – SWAN wants more flexibility applied to the longevity of NDIS plans. We are also calling for better support pathways for SWAN children and improved staff training about their complex needs. We are currently advocating for functional assessments not to be introduced to participants already on the NDIS.
Hospital support – SWAN is campaigning for better coordination of appointments and expanded telehealth opportunities for SWAN families in regional areas. We would also like to see improved Wi-Fi services and subsidised car parking at hospitals.
Education assistance – SWAN wants teachers to have better access to training on supporting children with disabilities and health conditions. The IQ system that determines access to student support funding needs to be removed or replaced with a more suitable test, such as a non-verbal test for non-verbal students. We are also campaigning for inclusive access to before and after school care and school holiday programs, as well as more funding to support allied health professionals working in all schools across Australia.
You can read more about our advocacy work by visiting the following pages:
Contact Us / Media Enquiries
- PO Box 390 Fairfield VIC 3078
- 0404 280 441
- info@swanaus.org.au