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NSW, Australia — These are the choices in front of the people of NSW. Both parties need to take a closer look at the needs of people with physical disabilities in NSW.

Whilst the "Stronger Together" package delivers much needed increases to the supports provided or funded by the Department of Ageing Disability and Homecare, it fails to provide for some of the supports vital to people with physical disabilities in NSW.

One of these vital supports is the NSW Program of Appliances for Disabled Persons (PADP), administered by the Department of Health through the Local Area Health Services. This valuable program provides aids and equipment to people with disabilities throughout NSW.

The Physical Disability Council of NSW maintains its position that the primary problem within this vital program is the lack of funding.

• People continue to miss out on crucial aids and appliances, including wheelchairs, shower chairs, continence items, communication devices, hoists placing themselves and their carers at risk.
• Some people relinquish their independence.

Information collected from one disability service provider shows an equipment waiting list of $1.648m. $700,000 of that amount is from the previous financial year. Of $1.1m worth of equipment requested so far in this financial year, PADP has only provided $81, 576 worth (a total of 26 items). This is from only one non-government agency. What are the figures for other prescribing agencies, the largest of which would be the Department of Health?

Who will meet the challenge of providing $37.5m recurrent to this vital program?

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For more information: Robyn Chapman, PDCN Executive Officer or Lachlan Hazelton, Media Officer on (02) 9552-1606.