Objective 2.3:
Families and carers are listened to and involved in services
Action 2.3.3:
Advocate for the full and effective involvement of carers in the NDIS, both at an individual and policy level
The valuable insights of carers in supporting people to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have been promoted in the ‘General Practice Toolkit[1]’ a practical guide for general practices in the North Brisbane region to support awareness of, and access to, the NDIS.
The PHN engaged Queenslanders with a Disability Network (QDN) to develop the Toolkit following considerable feedback obtained gained from the Partners in Recovery (PiR) Initiative providers in the region, who identified the need for resources for general practice, to better equip them to support their patients who were looking to gain access to the NDIS.
The Toolkit has useful information about the NDIS, as well as practical guidance and tips for supporting access to the NDIS for their patients – such as guidance on the evidence that should be included on an Access Request Form, or a Supporting Evidence Form. Through-out the document, GPs and practice staff are encouraged to seek out and engage carers and family members, acknowledging they are most appropriate to provide information about the person’s day-to-day functions, and can complete an appropriate impact statement.
The Toolkit was very well received locally, which prompted the sharing of the resource with all 31 PHNs across Australia for them to adapt and use in their local context. Although designed for a general practice audience, the practical guidance within the Toolkit was considered extremely useful, and so was also disseminated broadly amongst the Hospital and Health Services within Queensland. The extensive reach of the Toolkit was realised when the PHN received copies of the Toolkit from the Australian Government who were disseminating it to all PHNs as a useful resource.
[1] http://www.brisbanenorthphn.org.au/content/Document/BNPHN_Understanding_Your_Role_NDIS_GP_Toolkit_May2018_FINAL_WEB.pdf
