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?
For further information: www.pdcnsw.org.au/archive/07/nsw-election-padp.html
For more information
Robyn Chapman, PDCN Executive
Officer or
Lachlan Hazelton, Media Officer on (02)
9552-1606
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