Issues over the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme continue at Nardy House.
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The National Disability Insurance Agency, the independent agency given the role of implementing the NDIS, said it is “is working with Nardy House to address their quoting processes and concerns”.
The fear is a band-aid solution will be cobbled together, and the whole process will be repeated.
- Nardy House board member Denise Redmond
Nardy House board member Denise Redmond said the agency had admitted during a meeting this week there are problems with the roll out, and the facilities respite service remains closed due to ongoing issues.
“It looks like their is no solution for the respite issue at the moment,” Ms Redmond said.
“I’ve got grave doubts about all of this.”
The charity’s respite facility in Quaama consisting of a three bedroom house, accommodating up to six people, many with profound physical disabilities.
“If a client does not have an accommodation package that is sufficient to cover the costs of care they cannot get it,” she said.
“They may not have an accommodation need when their plan is drawn up.
“When the need occurs they cannot access accommodation because it is not in their plan, and plan review takes months.”
Ms Redmond said the ongoing issue of quoting tool templates failing to take into account complex care and registered nurse pay still remain, and payment issues will be dealt with manually.
The NDIA acknowledged the shift from block to participant funding has presented challenges to the disability sector.
“If a quote is not accepted in full as reasonable and necessary, the NDIA will work with the participant and provider on a case-by-case basis to resolve the issue, ensuring any interim arrangements maintain essential participant services,” an NDIA spokesperson said.
“The NDIA, alongside governments, acknowledges that the interface between the NDIS and the health system is complex.”
Ms Redmond said she hopes the issues can be ironed out as soon as possible, yet remained skeptical.
“It appears that there is a recognition that something needs to be done and done quickly,” she said.
“The fear is a band-aid solution will be cobbled together, and the whole process will be repeated.”
Since the 2016 roll out began, the NDIS has made almost $3billion in payments across Australia.
