Challenges Impacting the Transition to the NDIS in Rural and Remote Settings
Tracks
Room - Stanley A
| Thursday, November 9, 2023 |
| 2:25 PM - 2:45 PM |
Overview
Associate Professor Tania Shelby-James, Flinders University
Speaker
Associate Professor Tania Shelby-James
Principal Research Fellow
Flinders University
Challenges Impacting the Transition to the NDIS in Rural and Remote Settings
Abstract
Problem: Individuals living in rural and remote areas of Australia face a range of physical and mental health stressors. Yet, their health and social needs are not always met. The roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has the potential to provide much needed services but several challenges must be addressed.
Setting: A 2-day workshop held in Alice Springs identified the unique challenges faced by staff delivering mental health services in rural and remote areas and formulated solutions to support this cohort.
Methods: The main challenges impacting the transition to the NDIS were agreed upon by a consensus process, using a root cause analysis approach. Challenges were ranked in terms of importance and attendees brainstormed solutions to address these challenges.
Results: The top ranked issues included: inadequate workforce, uncertainty regarding NDIS processes, need for client focus and cultural appropriateness, limited choice of providers, lack of training for clinicians, high transport costs, and difficulty getting services to communities.
Solutions were formulated to address the top ranked challenges that broadly fell into the following categories: i) supporting local partnerships with and between organisations and creating systems which encourage information sharing; ii) offering business assistance and capacity building to existing support organisations to hire, train and develop local providers/staff; iii) working to expand eHealth options; iv) ensuring the price guide reflects the cost-of-service provision and travel in remote areas; v) encouraging providers to align visiting schedules to improve care coordination and share travel costs; vi) building upon natural support systems, equipping families and communities to provide services and care; and vii) creating culturally appropriate practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Lessons learnt: The findings generated form this workshop can be used to improve the accessibility and quality of mental health service delivery in rural and remote regions of Australia.
Setting: A 2-day workshop held in Alice Springs identified the unique challenges faced by staff delivering mental health services in rural and remote areas and formulated solutions to support this cohort.
Methods: The main challenges impacting the transition to the NDIS were agreed upon by a consensus process, using a root cause analysis approach. Challenges were ranked in terms of importance and attendees brainstormed solutions to address these challenges.
Results: The top ranked issues included: inadequate workforce, uncertainty regarding NDIS processes, need for client focus and cultural appropriateness, limited choice of providers, lack of training for clinicians, high transport costs, and difficulty getting services to communities.
Solutions were formulated to address the top ranked challenges that broadly fell into the following categories: i) supporting local partnerships with and between organisations and creating systems which encourage information sharing; ii) offering business assistance and capacity building to existing support organisations to hire, train and develop local providers/staff; iii) working to expand eHealth options; iv) ensuring the price guide reflects the cost-of-service provision and travel in remote areas; v) encouraging providers to align visiting schedules to improve care coordination and share travel costs; vi) building upon natural support systems, equipping families and communities to provide services and care; and vii) creating culturally appropriate practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Lessons learnt: The findings generated form this workshop can be used to improve the accessibility and quality of mental health service delivery in rural and remote regions of Australia.
Biography
Associate Professor Tania Shelby-James, based at Flinders University is a health service researcher specialising in workforce capacity building and health service delivery. She has represented the research community on national committees for the Australian Government and is a member of the International Initiative for Disability Leadership. She is currently leading a sector support and capacity building program for the Commonwealth psychosocial support program.
