HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-06-16 Daily Xml
Contents
Xml

Motor Neurone Disease

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister advise of the Malinauskas Labor government's plan to improve access to services and support for those diagnosed with motor neurone disease?

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:52): Firstly, I often acknowledge the member, but I really would like to acknowledge the member for Davenport in this regard because I know how passionate she is and how this awful disease has impacted her family, and I thank her for asking this question and for her advocacy on behalf of motor neurone disease sufferers across South Australia.

Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological disorder that destroys motor neurons, the cells that control skeletal muscle activity, such as walking, breathing, speaking and swallowing. MNDSA is a non-government organisation which operates in South Australia and which provides incredible support for those living with motor neurone disease. However, it has done so without regular state government funding up until now.

Over 65 year olds account for approximately 65 per cent of MNDSA's clients. However, if they are diagnosed over 65 years old they inexplicably get very little access to support compared with if they are diagnosed below 65 years old because of the way the NDIS works. That cut-off means the world of difference to an MND sufferer. You are either provided a whole range of services or you go on to an aged-care, at-home waiting list, and sadly many, many people suffering MND die before they receive the appropriate level of support through the aged-care system. That is where people such as MND step in to help. In fact, 80 per cent of South Australians living with MND who are over 65 when they were diagnosed pass away before receiving the appropriate level of federal support through the aged-care system.

I was very pleased to attend the MNDSA Walk to D'Feet MND, and I was joined by the member for Davenport along with the Minister for Education, supporters of MND and advocates across South Australia. It was fantastic to see that this day raised $109,000 for MNDSA. I was very delighted to be able to inform those assembled supporters that this is a state government that is going to step up and provide support for those people who are suffering.

This government in this budget, delivered by the Treasurer, has committed $2.4 million over four years to provide MNDSA with support for specialist care, treatment and equipment to improve the quality of life for people living with MND. In practical terms, this means $500,000 a year to establish a team of health professionals to assist those people over the age of 65 with MND. These are the people who are unable to get immediate support through My Aged Care. We will help them through MNDSA to get that care.

This will involve occupational therapists, a physiotherapist, a speech pathologist and an allied health assistant. We will also be helping them with $100,000 a year to allow MNDSA to provide rapid access loans for equipment, such as breathing devices, mobility devices, communication devices and everyday living aids. This will not only assist those living with MND to access the equipment they need when they need it but also assist in the management of their condition, preventing avoidable hospitalisations.

Like many not-for-profits, COVID-19 has impacted MNDSA with difficulties in raising support, and that is why we are so keen to help. I really want to pay tribute to Karen and the whole team at MNDSA for the work that they do. I would particularly like to acknowledge Mr Graham Johnson, who is an MND sufferer and has been a passionate advocate to us when we were in opposition. He tried to advocate this to the previous government as well. We have listened, we have acted and people suffering MND are now going to receive significantly more support than they did previously.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT