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Health & NDIS:Interface in the age of COVID-19

EnableNSW helping people leave hospital sooner

Steven Davison - Director, Social Policy Implementation NSW Ministry of Health

Jackie Hiller – Manager, EnableNSW

ACI Webinar – 21 May 2020

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Update on Disability Resources

• NSW Health will publish an Easy Read version of the new Public Health Order (made on 14 May) that authorises an easing of restrictions.

• NSW Health has published information on the new Public Health Order. The PHO commenced on 15 May with some provisions coming into effect on 19 May - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/public-health-orders.aspx

• NSW Health has published a COVID-19 update webinar with presenters from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) & NSW Ministry of Health -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNn8u3laTDA&feature=youtu.be

• The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has published a provider newsflash on improved flexibility to support participants and providers during COVID-19 -https://mailchi.mp/ndis.gov.au/marketsandprovidersnewsflash200518

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Public Health Guidance for the Disability Sector

NSW Health has published information specific for disability support providers. This information is being updated to reflect the new Public Health Order made on 14 May - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/disability-support.aspx. The latest PHO provides that:

From Friday 15 May, the following will be allowed in NSW, in addition to measures already announced:

• Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people

• Cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons at any one time

• Up to 5 visitors to a household at any one time

• Weddings up to 10 guests

• Indoor funerals up to 20 mourners, outdoor funerals up to 30

• Religious gatherings/places of worship up to 10 worshippers

• Use of outdoor equipment with caution

• Outdoor pools open with restrictions

Physical distancing is still required in all of the above activities.

NB: The orders do not prevent the use of premises to provide a service to assist vulnerable people and do not restrict disability service providers from continuing to provide services including, for example, day programs and similar activities. Appropriate risk

management principles should be applied and adherence to infection control measures should be maintained.

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Update on Discharge Delays

• SIL and SDA providers have been submitting lists of vacancies to NSW Health for 8 weeks. During this time over 220 NDIS participants have connected with providers and been discharged from hospital. The updated SDA/SIL vacancy list is distributed regularly to the NSW Health Local Health Districts and Specialty Health Networks.

• We wish to thank all providers for their help during the COVID-19 response. Any NDIS providers who still wish to submit vacancy information please email the MOH-NDIS@health.nsw.gov.au.

• The process of a participant finding a suitable vacancy during admission is supported by two safeguards:

1. NSW Health has policy that guides safe transition of care arrangement which applies to all staff. This ensures that all patients are discharged from hospital into safe and secure arrangements.

2. The NDIA is responsible for ensuring that funding in participant plans allows access to all reasonable and necessary supports required by the participant to live safely in the community.

NSW Health staff work to ensure that participants in hospital are discharged safely and where they are provided with all the services they require to live safely and securely in the community.

If anyone is aware of any situation where a participant’s discharge arrangements are causing hardship or are unstable, please immediately alert the local hospital, email MOH-NDIS@health.nsw.gov.au or call

0417 203 790. If there is a medical emergency call 000 immediately

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Contacts • Medical assistance

• Anyone with an unexplained fever or new respiratory symptoms is encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 even if the symptoms are mild. A range of public and private testing options are available:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus-clinics.aspxhttps://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alerthttps://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus-testing.aspx (requires GP request)

• You can access medical assistance for other issues from your GP or hospital emergency department (ED) or by calling healthdirecton 1800 022 222 or visit at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/.

• If you have a medical emergency call 000.

• NSW Ministry of Health

• Email questions to the MOH-NDIS Inbox - MOH-NDIS@health.nsw.gov.au.

• NDIA

• Phone 1800 800 110, contact your Local Area Coordinator or visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

• Phone 1800 035 544 or visit the website at https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/.

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Supporting NDIS hospital discharge during COVID-19

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What is the goal of this pathway?

01 02 03Help NDIS patients leave hospital when they are medically ready. This will free up beds and valuable resources for Local Health Districts (LHDs)

Loan/provide NDIS patients with clinically appropriate equipment and/or minor or temporary home modifications for safe hospital discharge

Provide the right information to the NDIA to assist with the person’s long term planning of Assistive Technology (AT) and home modification needs

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Who is eligible to use this pathway?

Need to loan personal care or mobility equipment and/or minor/temporary home modifications to safely discharge and manage their condition at home

Any person who is NDIS eligible/confirmed

Medically ready to leave hospital or anticipated to leave in the coming weeks

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Equipment and home modifications for safe discharge

80%Of requests can be met through the equipment range available at the EnableNSW Equipment Centre (EEC). Equipment is available for immediate delivery statewide.

For customised, clearance or access to the power wheelchair allocation program, call and speak to the senior project officer.

For minor or temporary home modifications, call and speak to the home modifications advisor.

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The enrolment and referral form in brief

ND

IS D

etai

ls

• Person’s NDIS details

• Functional impairment

Shor

t ter

m lo

an

• What you want from Enable

• Short term AT

• Minor or temporary home mods

Long

term

nee

ds

• Flag the persons long term AT needs on the form for NDIS

• Permanent equipment.

• Permanent or fixed home mods

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Work in progress already?

AT selected, ready

for delivery ?

AT supply chain

issue?

Home mods not

started

Everything ready to deliver

except for insufficient

funds in NDIS plan?

Escalate to LHD NDIS Transition Lead and finish the process you have started

Hospital discharge held up

by supply chain issues/

customised items?

Home modifications

specified but not

started/complex?

Select short term loan equipment for safe hospital discharge and use the pathway.

Put the info for the long term into the referral section of the enrolment form.

Speak to us about mods required for discharge and use the enrolment form

to refer long term needs to NDIA.

OR discuss alternate accommodation options with transition lead

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Using the pathway to date?

7

7

2

4

1

7 Completed

7 In progress

2 Cancelled

4 At enquiry

1 Declined

21APPLICATIONS

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Successful case studies

CASE 1: Man with existing neurological condition, fell as a result and was admitted

Equipment required: In stock: Days to delivery:

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Successful case studies

CASE 1: Man with intellectual disability, obesity and multiple co-morbidity, vulnerable re COVID-19

Equipment required: In stock: NO

Supplier?Days to delivery:

+12

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Resources to help you get started

01 02 04

Information

sheet & FAQs

Will be distributed through various LHD and NDIA

channels

EnableNSW staff

Three dedicated staff are available to

help answer your questions

Your information

sources

Find information about this pathway through your usual

sources and networks

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Skype information

sessions

Commencing 25 May,

Register at: https://healthnswevents.eventsair.com/covid-19-pathways-

supporting-ndis-hospital-discharge/accept/Site/Register

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Questions?

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Thank You