Additional temporary measures have been announced for NDIS participants and providers in Victoria with the National Disability Insurance Agency organising disability providers to offer additional workforce support for participants living in residential support settings. This includes advice, support staff and isolation accommodation for smaller organisations to access due to the impact of COVID-19.
In addition, Aspen Medical has been appointed to provide a clinical first response for any identified outbreak, which will ensure that infection control procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) and nursing support is immediately in place for residents and workers, if needed.
Other measures to support providers with delivery of support to NDIS participants include outreach calls to providers of residential support and ongoing communication with disability services sector and advocates to identify and resolve issues.
The NDIA has initiated proactive outreach to more than 7,000 high-risk NDIS participants in Victoria to check-in on their wellbeing and ensure they are accessing the supports they need. This includes NDIS participants living in residential aged care facilities.
NDIS Minister Stuart Robert said the NDIA continues to work closely with the Victorian Government to ensure NDIS participants and providers directly impacted by the coronavirus have the necessary supports in place, including those in residential support settings.
“It is the government’s priority to ensure continuity of supports along with the health and wellbeing of NDIS participants and their support workers,” the minister said. “We have a clear plan and will continue to respond to changing circumstances across the entire country to ensure all NDIS participants are supported and are safe during the pandemic.”
NSW and Victorian NDIS participants can also purchase necessary PPE using their NDIS plan where appropriate. NDIS providers in NSW and Victoria can also claim for PPE used when delivering face-to-face supports assisting participants with daily living. NDIS providers and self-managed participants who are unable to source PPE through their normal supply channels are also able to access PPE from the National Medical Stockpile.
Disability support workers in Victoria who are directed to self-isolate or quarantine are, where eligible, can also access the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
The Commonwealth is working with the Victorian Government through its Disability Rapid Response Group monitoring and responding to any incidence of COVID-19 amongst people with a disability and service providers.
NDIS participants with questions or whose circumstances may have changed can contact the NDIA on: 1800 800 110. NDIS providers with questions about delivering quality and safe supports and services to NDIS participants can contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on: 1800 035 544.
For more information visit: www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus