ndis
Wendy Adams will now receive funding for
essential nursing services at home.
“I know there are many who
can’t get funding or access nursing
services, including young people who
are forced to stay in nursing homes as
the only way they can get daily care.”
Mr Powell said Spinal Life
Nursing
services
appeal
Australia hoped Wendy’s win was
the start of many to come.
“While there are people who are
covered for nursing services under
the State Government’s Queensland
Community Care program, there are
still many like Wendy who don’t have
that option and were not offered it
through their NDIS plan,” he said.
Toowoomba resident Wendy Adams has become one of
the first people to have nursing services funded under the
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). And the Spinal
Life Australia member hopes she’s not the last.
S
pinal Life Chief Executive
available can lead to life-threatening
health complications, resulting in
more hospitalisations and further
pressure on the health care system.
“It’s very important to ensure
people who need nursing services
Officer Michael Powell said essential to prevent serious health can access funding for it, through the
Wendy previously received issues developing as a result of her NDIS or elsewhere.”
funding for nursing services under
her Your Life Your Choice plan and
spinal cord injury.
“To expect someone with
He said the National Disability
Insurance Agency (NDIA) recently
learned that her funding would not disability to spend hours each advised they were working with
continue after she transitioned to day waiting at a doctor’s office or the Queensland Government’s
the NDIS. emergency room or needing to pay Department of Health to further
for daily visits out of their own pocket clarify where responsibilities lie for
just isn’t sustainable,” she said. nursing services.
She successfully appealed this
decision and will now receive funding
for an hour a day of essential nursing
14
Wendy said nursing services were
“Not having these services readily
“I’m very happy with the results of
Ms Adams received assistance
services at home, such as pressure the appeal, but it should also apply in her appeal from Legal Aid and
sore care, skin health checks and to everyone with a disability who Queensland Advocacy Incorporated.
catheter changes. needs it.
ndis
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