Introduction: Health plays a crucial role in our lives, encompassing our well-being, medical care, and treatments for various conditions. This guide delves into the realm of health support within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), shedding light on the responsibilities of the health system and the support provided by the NDIS.
The Health System’s Role: The health system encompasses a spectrum of entities and services responsible for our physical well-being, including:
- Government health departments
- Hospitals and community health care centers
- Medical professionals like doctors and specialists
- Allied health services, such as physiotherapy and optometry
- Medical treatments and medications facilitated through Medicare
It’s important to note that this guide focuses on physical health, while separate information is available for mental health and psychosocial disabilities.
What the Health System Provides: The health system has the following responsibilities:
- Treating and Diagnosing Health Conditions: This includes both immediate and ongoing medical attention, addressing chronic conditions, injuries, and illnesses.
- Medical Services: General practitioners, medical specialists, dental care, and nursing services are all part of the health system’s offerings.
- Allied Health Services: Services like physiotherapy and optometry are designed to enhance the overall health of the population.
- Acute and Post-Acute Services: Hospital services for illnesses and injuries, followed by rehabilitation, fall under the health system’s scope.
- Preventive Health: Programs aimed at preventing future illnesses, such as weight loss support and smoking cessation assistance.
- Medicines and Aids: Providing medicines, pharmaceuticals, and aids like crutches to aid recovery.
- Hospital Care: Services provided in both public and private hospitals.
- Palliative Care: Support for end-of-life care.
What the NDIS Supports: The NDIS is responsible for supporting individuals in their daily lives when disability-related impairments affect their functional capacity. These supports focus on improving and maintaining individuals’ abilities and functions.
The NDIS funds maintenance supports that:
- Are directly related to the individual’s disability-related impairments affecting their functional capacity.
- Are required to enable the individual to live in the community, study, or work.
Examples of NDIS-funded supports include:
- Ongoing therapy or interventions aimed at improving abilities.
- Support for daily activities supervised by qualified healthcare staff.
- Assistance to ensure continued community participation.
Real-Life Example: Consider Jed, who is unwell and needs hospitalisation. The health system provides medical tests, medication, surgery, and rehabilitation to aid his recovery. Post-hospitalisation, the health system schedules follow-up appointments to monitor his well-being.
The NDIS may fund training for hospital staff to understand Jed’s communication needs, providing a support worker to facilitate communication with his device. This ensures that Jed’s stay in the hospital is as effective and supportive as possible.
Conclusion: Understanding the division between the health system’s responsibilities and the NDIS’s role in health support is essential for individuals with disabilities. While the health system focuses on medical treatments and services, the NDIS steps in to support daily living and functional capacity related to disabilities. This knowledge empowers individuals and their families to access appropriate support from both systems to ensure comprehensive care and improved well-being.
If you have any questions about what NDIS Support Coordinators do contact us.
