Disability Services

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding disability. This week, an external NGO staff member had to call an ambulance for a person who had festering wounds, in a facility managed by the Department of Human Services. What exactly has gone wrong under the minister's leadership when that needs to happen, and can the minister confirm whether the victim of this government's negligence was in fact still in hospital two weeks later?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his question. In relation to some of the language that he has used, I would caution him to not jump to conclusions before the investigations have taken place, something that I think the Labor Party is wont to do when it should be strongly advised against so doing. I do know the case to which the honourable member is referring, and I was made aware of that.

My department and I take allegations of care concerns very seriously, and the department has commenced an investigation into the services provided to the client. In line with the department's incident management policy and procedures, relevant authorities were informed of the allegations of care concerns. Any registered NDIS providers are regulated by the Quality and Safeguards Commission, and this matter has been reported to the commission in addition to other relevant referrals that we would be required to make.

We recognise that people with disability with a medical condition don't belong in hospital, and the transition to home program supports the discharge of people with disability out of hospital and into supportive transitional accommodation in the community.