Sweeping NDIS changes on the way

A Federal Government plan to get the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) ‘back on track’ has gained the support of the Senate following several days of long and emotional debate.
 
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill will see sweeping changes on the way, as the Commonwealth aims to rein in the scheme’s skyrocketing costs.
 
On Thursday, it was passed by both houses of Parliament, with changes to how people access the scheme and how participants can spend their funds.
 
However, details about exactly what the new assessment process will look like are still being developed, with consultation from key stakeholders to take place.
 
Last week, the RACGP had a meeting with the Social Services Department and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to discuss the college’s submission to the Bill.
 
More regular meetings will be scheduled to ensure the vital role of GPs in the NDIS is not overlooked.
 
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said GPs play a vital role in disability care and are key to improving care for patients.
 
‘GPs support Australians with disability throughout their life and have in-depth knowledge of what supports work for their patients, and what doesn’t,’ she said.
 
‘This is why the RACGP recommends GPs have input into the NDIS planning process and communicate with planners so they can support their community. GPs know their patients and will make the planning process more efficient and ensure patients get the right supports.
 
‘The Government’s efforts to reform the NDIS are welcome. We can and should do a lot better to ensure people with disability get the support they need to thrive, while also making the NDIS more efficient and sustainable.’
 
The RACGP has also recommended making NDIS forms more user-friendly, less prescriptive, and able to integrate with general practice software, saying this will make it easier for GPs and practice teams.
 
The college added that the Government must also ensure that GPs are adequately remunerated for time spent completing NDIS paperwork, including when patients are not present.
 
On Wednesday, Federal NDIS Minister Bill Shorten announced he had come to an agreement with state and territory leaders, following a long-held stalemate, to address their concerns of potential service gaps created by the changes.
 
This will include a new dispute resolution approach to escalate issues and faster timeframes for changes to the current NDIS rules.
 
‘This is a milestone for Australia and all the people with disability who do and will receive lifechanging supports from the NDIS,’ Minister Shorten said on Thursday afternoon.
 
‘With this legislation in place, we can get on with the important work of designing the finer, practical elements of NDIS reform with Australians with disability, including specific rules and instruments and the new definition of NDIS supports.’
 
However, the controversial changes have drawn the ire of many in the community, with Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John labelling it ‘Labor’s greatest betrayal’.
 
‘This bill is a broken promise from a Labor Government that many in our community trusted,’ he said.
 
‘Labor has ripped the heart out of the NDIS by removing our right to choice and control.’
 
Associate Professor Robert Davis, Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests – Disability, told newsGP ‘time will tell’ how the new laws will play out on the ground.
 
‘I can understand the advocates’ concern about some loss of autonomy and say over their plans, and at the other end of scale, I can understand the real concerns that the Government and the Opposition have about the viability of the NDIS going forward,’ he said.
 
‘I’m concerned that there needs to be more of a balance between the rights of the person with a disability and the NDIS funding, and at the moment, I think that balance has gone a bit over towards the NDIS, in a way.
 
‘As GPs, we need to advocate for our patients, and it might be that the changes in the legislation will impact some people unfairly.’
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

disability National Disability Insurance Scheme NDIS