NDIS brings long waits and heartache
Long waits for equipment, ill-equipped managers and hours spent on paperwork were just some of the complaints voiced at a Sunbury forum on the NDIS.
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Long waits for equipment, ill-equipped case managers and hours spent on paperwork were just some of the complaints voiced at a Sunbury forum on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Individuals, service providers and carers flocked to the Make It Work forum last Friday.
Sunbury resident and panellist Jess Cochran said the concerns she heard were all too common among people accessing the service.
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“There’s such an inconsistency. It’s important to keep everyone in the loop and supported as possible, especially those who have conditions that aren’t really well known,” she said.
“I know the NDIS has the potential there. It’s just getting those issues tweaked and fixed and supporting everyone along the way.”
Stories from those in attendance detailed long wait times, repeated calls and questions that went unanswered.
Time frames for decision making, better education for healthcare professionals and an increase in funding for transport were on a list of suggestions from participants. The forum was attended by federal Labor human services spokeswoman Linda Burney, McEwen federal Labor MP Rob Mitchell and Sunbury state Labor MP Josh Bull.
“The really big priority is driving enormous cultural change across the organisation and to put people with disabilities and their families back into the centre of all decisions,” Ms Burney said.
“There is also an enormous issue about the level of bureaucracy … people are finding it almost impossible to navigate the system.”
Down Syndrome Australia vice-president and Sunbury local Daniel Payne’s child accesses the NDIS. He told the crowd processes needed to be simpler.
“We need to make a complicated subject and process simple. That’s the only way we’re not going to leave anyone behind,” he said.
While some described good service, others said they had to apply through freedom of information to receive answers. “I do have faith that we are going to make it work, but it’s going to take a long time to get there,” one audience member said.
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