DISABILITY SERVICES

538 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (9 July 2013). With reference to 2013-14 Budget Paper 4, vol.3, sub-program 1.1, p. 53: System Performance—

1. The Budget refers to a $2.8 million expenditure reduction to the Department Communities and Social Inclusion for 2013-14 relating to the discharge of patients from hospital with a disability, how many Disability SA clients are in hospitals on a long term basis due to difficulties in obtaining appropriate accommodation and support?

2. How will the loss of funding under this sub-program impact those with a disability, will the alternative program be as effective and how will it differ?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I have been advised:

At 30 June 2013, there were 29 people with disability whose discharge from public hospitals was recorded as delayed whilst they waited for suitable accommodation or support to become available.

From 1 July 2013, the responsibility for administrating this funding transferred from SA Health to Disability SA. There is no decrease in funding available to clients in 2013-14 compared to what was available in 2012-13.

There will be no change to the process for determining the discharge pathway for people with a disability from the acute sector. Clients discharge pathway will be continue to be determined jointly by SA Health and Disability SA.

The program will continue as normal.