National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:48): Supplementary: where a client is transitioning to the NDIS, is that client fully accepted and supported by the NDIS before the withdrawal of the state NGO funding?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:49): My understanding is that the client will be supported in transition. It is important in this partnership that the state accepts its responsibility to be part of the successful transition, but so does the agency that is, for want of a better word, relinquishing, the agency that has been, if you like, the historical provider.

I would hope that mental health NGOs would see the opportunity for engagement with the NDIS. I am concerned to hear that some organisations which I have a lot of respect for are not inclined to engage in the NDIS. As we express our commitment to patient-centred care and self-determination in terms of self-management of care, I would hope that providers would be supporting clients to transition. As I said, the Chief Psychiatrist has alerted NGOs that he stands ready to deal with any continuity of support issues. In relation to the point at which the transfer occurs, the Chief Psychiatrist has indicated that he wants cases referred to him if issues arise.