15th April 2024
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Attendees:
Mr Ray Matthews – Chief Executive Officer
Ms Lesley Woolf – Executive Health Manager – Health, Aged Care & Community Services
Ms Dianne Solomon – Coordinator of Supports, NDIS
Introduction
Mala’la Health Service provides Health, Aged Care & Community Services, NDIS and Family &
Community Wellness services to the community of Maningrida and the surrounding outstations.
Maningrida is a remote community in West Arnhem Land, approximately 500 klms from Darwin. It is accessible by road during the dry season (May to October), and has a daily air service from Darwin.
Mala’la Health Service employs a Coordinator of Supports who currently supports 45 clients. Mala’la Aged Care & Community Services provide services to NDIS clients which include home care, personal care, shopping, transport, and social support. These services are provided to 25 clients.
There are several providers (anecdotally 40+) however there are a few that Mala’la works closely on a regular basis and have a presence in the community. These are Balcor and Team Health.
An outcome that Mala’la NDIS services would like to see is for all NDIS providers in Maningrida to work together to ensure the best outcomes for the NDIS participants.
Issues
The need for interpreters – as most of the community speak English as a second or third language, it’s important to have an interpreter or family member who can interpret. Employ community members as community connectors, bearing in mind that Mala’la already have staff who are employed and work with the COS; The need for additional resources in the community i.e. wheelchairs, walkers, beds etc. when something is needed it’s needed ‘then’ not in a weeks time when the barge arrives. Similarly if a piece of equipment breaks, it often takes some week for it to be P: 08 8979 5772 W: www.malala.com.au
repaired or replaced so the participant is without it for some weeks which may mean that they have no means of transport; Return to Country support – many NDIS participants who are housed in Darwin seem to be forgotten in terms of returning to country to visit family, this isn’t supported in plans; Mala’la uses a number of very good Allied Health professionals and we believe that those who are working successfully with NDIS participants in Maningrida should be preferred providers, travel also needs to be funded for these providers; Ideally all providers working in Maningrida or visiting Maningrida should have the use of resources for participants; Providers who aren’t making connection with their clients really need to be accountable – some participants report that they haven’t seen their provider for years if at all. Provision for respite When participants need equipment that needs to be customized, they need to have the opportunity to go to Darwin to have it customized or fitted / trialled. This needs to be funded.
We know that per head of population that there should be more NDIS participants, particularly children and mental health clients however there is a need for these potential participants to be identified. NDIS should visit and interact and promote NDIS. However there seems to be a gap between NDIS and the community and providers.
Recommendations
-
Visits by NDIS to promote and provide information about NDIS;
-
Timely updates of plan in consultation with the Coordinator of Supports (all providers including Mala’la and others);
-
Greater interaction and resource sharing for providers – regular meetings between all providers working with NDIS participants in Maningrida;
-
Regular monitoring of providers to ensure services are actually being provided and that there is regular interaction with participants.
P: 08 8979 5772 W: www.malala.com.au