The National Disability Insurance Scheme will now offer funding for disability-related health supports for participants from October 2019.
The decision was made during the recent meeting of the Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council which discussed moving the responsibility of funding health supports from state-based health systems to the NDIS.
From 1 October 2019, NDIS participants will be able to access funding for:
- Catheter changes and cleaning
- Wound care support and dressings
- Development of care plans and swallowing therapy for people with dysphagia
- Respiratory supports including tracheostomy equipment and management, CPAP and BiPAP equipment, ventilators and more.
Spinal Life Australia Executive Manager – Member Services Ross Duncan said the news was welcomed after the organisation had previously expressed their concerns to State politicians on the issue.
“There has been a lot of concern and uncertainty around funding responsibility for disability-related health services for quite some time,” Mr Duncan said.
“Some Queensland NDIS participants even found it difficult to previously access any funding for nursing services.
“In Queensland, state-based funding for community nursing such as catheter changes and wound care support was due to cease on 1 July 2019 – thankfully this was addressed in the most recent State Budget.
“However, the State Budget funding was a temporary six-month fix, which is why this NDIS funding announcement was so important.”
Ross said the decision was a step in the right direction.
“Many disabilities, especially spinal cord injury, can lead to complications that require regular health and nursing support and services,” he said.
“For a long time, there has not been a clear decision about whether these services should be supported by the NDIS or remain with the state health system.
“By finally recognising where funding responsibilities should lie, we’re hoping our members and clients who are NDIS participants can have that extra bit of confidence that their nursing and health needs are being appropriately supported.”
For more information on the recent NDIS and health services agreement, click here.
For more information on supports coordination assistance and making the most of your NDIS plan reviews, contact us on enquiries@spinal.com.au or 1300 774 625.