Isolated patients’ risk being left out from care with changes to national disability insurance

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Physios working in outback Queensland fear they may no longer be able to reach isolated patients in their homes with the national disability insurance agency set to slash travel subsides for allied health workers. Those living with disability in isolated parts of the state, risk being stranded without care as many services are often hundreds of kilometers away.

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00:00They're long days behind the wheel for Outback Physio Keegan Simpson.

00:08We cover an area from Quilby up to Cloncurry, which is about a quarter of the Queensland state.

00:13He says clocking up 3,000 kilometres a week is worth it to provide care to NDIS clients in the bush.

00:21Independence in a remote area is the most important thing, isn't it?

00:25Because they don't have the supports to start with, so we need to increase their independence

00:28so they can function in their day-to-day life.

00:30From the 1st of July, the agency overseeing the NDIS will halve travel subsidies for allied health services.

00:37In the Outback, home visits are the only option for most with a disability,

00:41with the nearest services often hours away.

00:44It'll really threaten the sustainability of service provision in remote communities.

00:49On the Gold Coast, nine-year-old Nina Miska McDonald learnt to walk with the help of a physio.

00:55Every little step is a celebration.

00:57The clinic where she's treated now is at risk of closure.

01:01But all of our expenses have continued to rise over the past few years without any increases in revenue really.

01:08The NDIA says a review showed some providers were overcharging and travel claims were draining participants' plans.

01:16They say providers can still claim additional loading for therapy in regional and remote areas.

01:22Without NDIS support, I don't know if I could do it. Like it's hard, you know, it's really hard.

01:34Cut, cut, cut, cut.

01:35There's nowhere in the world you're moving and sweating.

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