Call for GPs’ bolstered role in NDIS overhaul

As the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) undergoes a major overhaul, the role of GPs in managing patients’ life-long care must be supported with adequate funding and reduced red tape, an expert suggests.
 
On Wednesday, Disability and NDIS Minister Mark Butler announced a new Thriving Kids program will be rolled out from 1 July next year, flagging the potential for an expanded GP role in early childhood care.
 
The Federal Government will pour $2 billion into the initiative, which will see eligible children diverted into the program over time from the NDIS.
 
‘Tens and tens of thousands of young children with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism are on a scheme set up for permanent disability,’ Minister Butler said.
 
‘I doubt very much this is what most of their parents really wanted or expected.’
 
The shake-up comes as NDIS data reveals 23% of people on the scheme are aged eight and below, a further 20% are aged 9–14, and 10% are aged 15–18.
 
For 40% of the NDIS’s 740,000 participants, their primary diagnosis is autism.
 
RACGP Specific Interests Disability Chair Dr John Crimmins said GPs must be empowered to be more involved in the Thriving Kids program, as well as the NDIS, saying that currently, ‘they won’t acknowledge us, but they need us’.
 
‘As a GP who looks after the psychosocial and biological health of a patient, disability is part of what I do, so there isn’t this separation between disability and health,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘But the NDIS has not acknowledged GPs to date – we’re not actively involved in the plans and we’re certainly not funded through the NDIS to get involved.
 
‘We are also inundated with large amounts of compliance paperwork that needs the endorsement of a medical expert.’

However, Dr Cummins said ‘reading between the lines’, he believes the Federal Government wants GPs more involved in the early assessment and management of people with disabilities, especially those who need life-long support.
 
‘Patients will get a much better deal if GPs are involved earlier, but I think that currently, the NDIS is run by people that have little training in general practice, disability assessment or management,’ he said.
 
‘If a child gets earlier intervention and the right supports earlier, the outcomes are much better, so I’d like to see GPs assessing these children right from birth and be funded by Medicare to do that.
 
‘All these children with developmental disabilities need long consults and there’s a disincentive for GPs to look at these patients.’
 
The RACGP has long called for GPs to be better connected to service providers and adequately compensated for their work with NDIS patients.
 
The college has highlighted that, aside from providing medical treatment for NDIS patients, GPs are often tasked with providing evidence of disability, advocating for access, helping patients understand letters and emails, and working with families.
 
In response, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright echoed Dr Crimmins’ calls, saying GPs must be involved in the Thriving Kids program.
 
‘Without GPs being a major component in this program, it will not work as intended,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘However, GPs also need to be better renumerated for their work in this space, and for the current barriers and red tape to be removed so GPs can provide the care our patients need.’
 
Wednesday’s announcement also saw a step towards the creation of a new Medicare item for bulk-billed three-year-old health checks, with Minister Butler saying the plan is being investigated.
 
‘Making sure these health checks are funded through the MBS really matters,’ Dr Wright said in response.
 
‘Patients deserve to have potential issues identified and managed as early as possible, without cost or access acting as a deterrent.’

Children enrolled in the NDIS now, or who become enrolled before Thriving Kids’ rollout, will remain on the scheme, subject to its usual arrangements, including reassessments.
 
The ramp up of services and supports will be completed over 12 months, with access changes to the NDIS to take effect in mid-2027.
 
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