In light of the rapid rollout of significant changes from the NDIA’s annual pricing review, Members strongly advocated for a meeting with Hon Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister for Disability Services.
Given the serious concerns of the negative impact of the changes (reducing hourly pricing and travel pricing), on both the Allied Health workforce and NDIS participants in way, Members were prepared to rally when calls for a meeting with the WA Minister were ignored. Fortunately, the Minister’s office took note and contacted HSUWA to arrange a meeting with Members, which took place last week. Two Delegates, Kitty Hemsley-Byrne, Speech Pathologist (also Committee of Management Member) and Riley Omelczuk, Occupational Therapist, voiced their concerns relating to the changes for WA directly to the Minister.
The Minister understood the concerns and their flow-on effects, which were clearly articulated with examples by Members. The Minister was not however, prepared to make any commitments about the State Government stepping in to fill the new financial losses/gaps that flow from the federal funding agency’s recent decision – which will lead to numerous work arounds and ultimately reduced services. Advocating for better outcomes on pricing must also occur at on national level and HSU National is meeting with the federal Minister Mark Butler, and we will keep Members updated with next steps.
