NDIA admits ‘administrative errors’ made in teenager Jack Bailey’s case delayed action

An email from the National Disability Insurance Agency has revealed a number of errors in the handling of a teenager’s NDIS plan, apologising for the “stressed this caused” prior to his fatal cardiac arrest.

Izzi Harman isn’t happy with the NDIS after the death of her client Jack Bailey. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

An email from the National Disability Insurance Agency has revealed a number of errors in the handling of a teenager’s NDIS plan, apologising for the “stressed this caused” prior to his death.

Brisbane teenager Jack Bailey’s last message to his occupational therapist, Sunshine Coast’s Izzi Harman, asked if she had received a response to their desperate pleas for the NDIA to provide him with around-the-clock care.

Mr Bailey lived with late-stage duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition that meant he was confined to a wheelchair and reliant on 24-hour support.

Tragically, minutes after sending the text to Ms Harman, Mr Bailey suffered a fatal cardiac incident and died on Sunday, August 11.

In an email to Ms Harman the NDIA, which governs NDIS funds, said a number of administrative errors had impacted Mr Bailey’s NDIS plan in the months leading up to his death.

The email sent on Friday, seen by this publication, stated a plan reassessment request was filed with the NDIA on December 14, 2023, asking for Mr Bailey to receive an increase in support and therapy.

However, an “administrative error” meant the evidence supporting Mr Bailey’s request was not provided to the right staff.

“Further evidence to support these requests was received on 15 February 2024, however an administrative error occurred which resulted in the information not being provided to the appropriate business area for a determination on Jack’s requests, including his 2:1 and 1:1 supports,” the letter stated.

Jack Bailey pictured with his occupational therapist and colleague Izzi Harman.

The email also referenced an error with Mr Bailey’s funding not being paid into his bank account, which acknowledged the “personal and financial impact this created” and apologised for the “stress this caused”.

“A further investigation of Jack’s NDIS file indicates when Jack’s NDIS plan transitioned to the NDIA’s new PACE computer system, his nominated bank account did not automatically link to his PACE file,” the letter stated.

According to the NDIA the issue was rectified on July 17 and the funding was released into Mr Bailey’s account.

Jack Bailey passed away on August 11, after suffering a cardiac incident.

Ms Harman said as a result of the rush to put a plan in place, on June 17, Mr Bailey was alone in his apartment when he suffered a life-threatening cardiac incident, just managing to call himself an ambulance before blacking out.

Ms Harman described his survival as nothing short of “miraculous”.

According to Ms Harman, in the lead up to Mr Bailey’s support plan expiring in May this year he spent hours on the phone with the NDIA trying to ensure he would have adequate care in place.

“He was getting so stressed and even said to me at one point that he was getting anxious going to sleep every night because he wasn’t sure if he would have someone there to get him out of bed in the morning,” Ms Harman said.

Ms Harman said she was yet to hear directly from National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Bill Shorten regarding the letter her and Mr Bailey wrote to him.

This masthead also contacted Mr Shorten’s office last Friday and is yet to receive a response.

Jack Bailey passed away on August 11, after suffering a cardiac incident.

An NDIA spokeswoman said Mr Bailey did not lose access to the support services offered through his NDIS plan.

“The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has extended its deepest condolences to Jack’s family and acknowledges the incredibly difficult time they have faced,” she said.

“During the time the NDIA was reviewing Jack’s plan, he never lost access to utilising his NDIS supports. Jack had continual supports including support each day and access to funding for additional on-call support as required.

“Jack’s NDIS plan which commenced in May 2024 was valued at over $531k and was equivalent to his previous plan which began in May 2023.

“Through Scheme Reform, the Agency will continue to make changes to ensure better planning and communication to improve the experience for all NDIS participants and their families.”

Originally published as NDIA admits ‘administrative errors’ made in teenager Jack Bailey’s case delayed action