SYDNEY - Following a meeting in
Sydney this morning between disability
organisations and Minister Faye Lo Po' to
discuss the crisis in personal support services
for people with disability, representatives of
the NSW Disability Sector have spoken of their
deep disappointment at Government inertia. There
is no sense of urgency from the Minister to
indicate that anything systemic will be done to
address the crisis that affects hundreds of
people with disability living throughout the
State.
Mrs Lo Po' acknowledged that a crisis
exists. She stated explicitly, however, that
she would not approach the Treasurer to ask for
additional investment needed to resolve it. Mrs
Lo Po' gave a lukewarm response to a proposal to
establish a collaborative review committee
involving all stakeholders to look for long-term
solution to long-standing problems. The Minister
would not commit her Department to establish
such a joint body.
The Disability Sector representatives
presented the Minister with a comprehensive
dossier setting out details of the crisis,
illustrated by three pages of personal stories
of people with disability in crisis. It
shows:
- Over 300 people with high supports needs
are on waiting lists for support.
- More than 100 people are on the waiting
list for the Attendant Care Programme.
- 48 people allocated funds in November
2001 have still not had services put in
place. Some of them have been forced to stay
in hospital units for seven months longer
than their rehabilitation needs.
- Hundreds of people denied access to
additional hours of support from the Home
Care service or told no funds are available
to meet their needs or forced to accept
inflexible, system driven services that do
not fit the needs of individuals.
John Moxon, President of PDCN, speaking after
the meeting said::
"Mrs Lo Po' accepts there are many
people with disability living in crisis. We
are very disappointed that the Minister has
shown no leadership. She accepts that many
people with disability around NSW who have
high support needs to help them live with
dignity and personal autonomy do not receive
the support they need. But the Minister seems
unable or unwilling to act with the
determination required or give the leadership
needed to resolve the crisis."
Mr Moxon continued:
"We all know that in politics, where
there's a will there's a way. If the
Government can find $25 Million to build a
new sports stadium they ought to be able to
find the funds to solve the crisis we've
brought to their attention. We asked the
Minister this morning to set up a review body
and to look at ways of investing just $10.25
Million to solve the crisis for hundreds of
people with disability. Mrs Lo Po' said no to
both requests. She told us she wouldn't even
ask the Treasurer for more money. With such a
complete lack of will there is no way this
problem will ever be solved."
The Disability Groups meeting with Mrs Lo Po'
will report back to the 28 organisations whose
letter of 6th May set up today's meeting. Mr
Moxon explained:
"Doing nothing to resolve this
crisis is not an acceptable option. The long
list of personal stories we have collected
make it clear that many, many people are
suffering unnecessarily because of a lack of
leadership as much as a lack of investment.
We will do what we can and must to make it
possible for them to live with dignity with
the personal support they need. Nothing else
will do."
Case studies that illustrate the range of
problems are attached. The people described are
prepared to speak with representatives of the
media about their situations.
John Moxon is available for further comment.
Further details, background and information
about case stories is available from Dougie Herd
on 02 9552 1606
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