Here’s a rewritten version of the article, focusing on preserving facts and delivering a breaking-news lead:
Breaking News: Integrated Care Services for Developmental Disabilities Face Critical Challenges Despite Policy Improvements
seoul, South Korea – While recent policy adjustments have aimed to bolster integrated care services for individuals with developmental disabilities, significant challenges persist, including high employee resignation rates and difficulties in service expansion. Experts and advocates are calling for urgent measures to address these critical issues, emphasizing the need for both quantitative and qualitative improvements to the system.
A recent seminar highlighted that despite efforts to improve the integrated care model, the current system frequently enough leaves individuals with developmental disabilities excluded. The statement underscored the urgent need for integrated care services that can provide daily medical support and professional care for individuals with complex needs. It was also noted that even with the expansion of care support to 24-hour availability, many individuals remain on waiting lists for over a year, necessitating strategies to broaden user access.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare, in a seminar on the 16th, identified “policy performance” as a future task. Key areas for betterment where pinpointed as “diversification of programs and improvement of service quality,” “relaxation of user selection criteria and expansion of providers,” and “improvement of treatment.”
Despite an increase in professional allowances from 50,000 won to 150,000 won per month and a rise in the unit price for weekly 1:1 service to 28,754 won, worker satisfaction remains low. The center’s staffing ratio also increased from one to three, but the overall sentiment among workers is described as “deep sighs.”
Park byung-kwon, head of the Paju city Branch of the Welfare Association for the Disabled in Gyeonggi-do, revealed a stark reality at the seminar: “In a situation where the center does not have the legal status of a weekly or residential facility, out of 31 employees in total over six months, 8 individuals, or 25.89%, showed a resignation rate.” This translates to one in four employees leaving their positions.
Furthermore, some local governments implementing integrated care services are grappling with persistent issues related to securing physical space and recruiting staff. Concerns are being raised that without additional supportive measures, the expansion of these vital services could be hindered.
The government and relevant organizations acknowledge that integrated care services for individuals with developmental disabilities hold the potential to benefit various stakeholders. However, the article suggests that the remaining tasks and the ultimate success of these initiatives now rest with the Lee Jae-myung administration.
