Submission No 39
INQUIRY INTO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Organisation: Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH)
Date Received: 17 March 2016
Submission S039 — >
Received 17/03/2016 gi ppsla nd lakes , , community health
Family and Community Development Committee
PO Box 429
Lakes Entrance VIC 3909
web www glch.org.au
Lakes Entrance
tel 03 5155 8300
th admin fax 03 5155 4057
Wednesday 16“ March 2016 medical fax 03 5155 2119
email lakes@qlch org.au
Bairnsdale
tel 03 5152 0052
Family and Community Development Committee fax 03 5153 1087
email bairnsdale@glch.org.au
Parliament House Bruthen
tel 03 5157 5744
Spring Street fax 03 5157 5749
email bruthen@glch.org.au
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002
To whom it may concern,
Re: Inquiry into Service for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Thank you, for the opportunity to participate into this inquiry.
| am submitting this submission on behalf of Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH) .
GLCH is a major, long term, multi accredited, health and community service provider to the population of 43,000 in the rural and remote sub region of East Gippsland Victoria. The organisation is noted for its extensive range of health and community services, its ability to relate to and provide services to the most disadvantaged members of the community, and its capacity for championing the social model of health. GLCH has an annual budget in excess of $19.5 million, 400 staff members and 500 volunteers . who deliver a range of family, children and youth services, home care, allied health, nursing, medical and counselling services.
GLCH values and promotes excellence of service and prides itself on delivering coordinated and accessible health services and health promotion programs. There is a focus on the health of populations, as well as the health of individuals. The organisation maintains its reputation for valuing the principles of community health and positioning itself to attract additional health services that support the community it serves. Gippsland Lakes Community Health is also well regarded in terms of its capacity to lead and respond to local issues.
We provide extensive public / private paediatric services to children both with and without a diagnosis of Autism.
The major issues we would like to table for this inquiry are as follows
- The difficulty locally to gain a diagnosis. East Gippsland is classified as a rural remote location and the burden on parents to attend a diagnostic clinic is high. We are over 2 hrs from the closest diagnostic service and this places a huge time and cost on families.
your health, our commitment
Gippsland Lakes Community Health Inc, abu 29 4) 514 Gou
- Diagnostic procedures are inconsistent. Some children receive diagnosis locally, others are referred onto diagnostic clinics two or more hours away, to await diagnosis.
- Long wait times for appointments to gain diagnosis. Families frequently report up to 12 month wait to gain an appointment at a clinic. This limits access to fund entitlements and places increased financial strain of family seeking appropriate interventions for their children.
- Confusing and inconsistent information provided to parents regarding the process of diagnosis and funding entitlements via FAHCSIA.
- The system is extremely complex, and confusing to new Allied Health Providers and Early Childhood Educators, let alone parents who may be overwhelmed following recent diagnosis. The various levels of funding, and different programs and supports that are available are not always accessed by families in need, due to lack of knowledge or understanding. There is no simplified method of providing information, relevant to a family’s local area.
- Lack of support for children available once the children attend primary school. Funding limitations impact in the appropriate level of intervention available.
Thanks once again for the opportunity to contribute to this enquiry. We will look forward to attending the public hearings.
redacted
Executive Manager Community Health Services
Gippsland Lakes Community Health