Maggie Pileggi

In light of all the recent discourse around changes to the NDIA, the pervasive sense of fear that essential supports will be reduced and the ongoing concern for each client as they enter a review period, I wanted to comment on the pressures faced by clinical supports working within the NDIS. I know I am not the only clinician feeling increased pressure and scrutiny, my co-workers, colleagues, friends and other care team members are experiencing the same. A new trend emerging in the past 3 months seems to be forcing participants with active plans into early review, while simultaneously ignoring urgent requests for change of circumstance. At the beginning of November I began experiencing an influx of requests to produce progress reports for participants, most of whom their plan had many months left to run. I cannot understand why participants who have plans running until 28th February 2025 are being forced into unwanted, early reviews. Most of these requests include expectations that reports are produced within a matter of weeks. Attempts to provide feedback and education around clinician capacity are met with feedback that progress reports are a requirement. Yes they are, however it has always been stipulated they are required 6 weeks prior to review, not 4 months? There is a lack of understanding from the NDIA about how much time it takes to produce an adequate report which ensures continuation of reasonable and necessary supports all the while supporting multiple other clients and care teams, who are at times, making decisions which are literally keeping people alive. Accounting for the typical caseload a clinician carries, it would be reasonable to assume there is already demand for approximately one progress report a month, if not more. Why is there no understanding that changing timelines for one participant, impacts everyone else? In the last month I have been asked to produce 7 reports, some for participants whose plans are ending in December 2024, however most with plans still active throughout the initial months of 2025. How are these requests of the NDIA reasonable and necessary? I have spent this morning working on a progress report, as I did late last night also. Not because my employer told me to, not because I am working flexibly, but because I honestly have no other option to ensure all participants are safe going into the high risk Christmas period. I don’t have any motivation in posting this other than to share my experience and provide a shout out to my colleagues navigating the endless demands of the NDIA while also providing compassionate, safe and effective support to high risk individuals. For anyone finding themselves in the same position, I see you, I appreciate you and thank you.

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This is new & exciting - Check out the link in Emily Gillmartin bio - #ReflectivePractice #generalpractitioners #burnoutprevention #professionalgrowth #medicalpractitioner

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Your Key to Independence For individuals with disabilities, finding the right accommodation under the NDIS framework can be a challenging process. That’s why at Sasa Care, we’ve reimagined Supported Independent Living (SIL) services to meet every participant’s needs while empowering them to build confidence, skills, and independence. Here’s What Sets Us Apart: 1. Personal Care Assistance: From grooming to meal preparation, our staff provides compassionate, respectful care tailored to individual needs. 2. Social Engagement Opportunities: Community outings and recreational programs help participants build connections and stay active. 3. Skill Development Focus: Whether it’s learning to budget, cook, or use public transportation, we help participants achieve milestones that matter to them. Why Choose Sasa Care? We don’t just house people; we empower them. By creating inclusive, supportive environments, we help participants reach their goals while fostering a sense of community. Choosing the right SIL service can be life-changing—for participants and their families. With Sasa Care, you’re not just finding accommodation; you’re opening the door to a brighter future. Contact Us Today for more information.

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🚨 CFO Advisory Service for Home & Community Aged Care Providers 🚨 Are you a small to medium-sized aged care provider struggling to stay financially sustainable, but can’t afford a full-time CFO? Our CFO Advisory Service is designed just for you. With rising costs, complex compliance requirements, and increasing demand for high-quality care, financial sustainability has never been more critical. That’s where we come in. Our team delivers tailored solutions to help you transform your financial management at affordable rates. Here’s how we can help: 💡 Finance function advisory, support & transformation 💡 Building internal team capability, including embedding a business partnership approach 💡 Finance system changes to improve efficiency 💡 Strategic accounting, audit readiness & sustainability reporting 💡 Transaction readiness & post-transaction integration 💡 Financial governance to meet compliance requirements Our focus is on giving you the expertise you need—so you can focus on what really matters: delivering exceptional care to your community. Reach out today to discuss how our CFO Advisory Service can support your organisation in achieving financial stability and growth. #HomeCare #AgedCare #FinancialSustainability #CFOAdvisory #FinanceTransformation

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The changes within Residential Aged Care (RAC) continue. From 1st October 2024 the following changes are coming to the care minutes in RAC: 💠 10% of your service-level RN targets can now be achieved with care time provided by Enrolled Nurses (ENs) 💠 44 minutes of direct care will be provided by a Registered Nurse (RN) 💠 care minutes will increase to 215 minutes per resident sector wide Obviously the purpose behind these changes is to continue to enhance the quality of care for residents but perhaps now with softening the burden of work solely on RNs...... How will these changes affect your workplace as a facility manager? Will the changes hearld positive change for your workforce with the ability to utilise ENs? 📞 07 3337 5222 📧 [email protected] https://lnkd.in/gfy-63Hy

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As the Lower House prepares to debate and vote on the NDIS Bill, before the remaining submissions to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee are even published, I can’t stop thinking about these parts of our submission. About everything – and everyone – that is really at stake here. That rushing is a recipe for both human and budget disaster, because we cannot achieve a sustainable NDIS if the Government does not listen to us when we say this will not work. That there is still time to show the humility and reflection we talk about in our submission. That lived experience is key to writing the amendments we need to unlock the outcomes the NDIS asked us to dream of. “The fact we are having trouble articulating our insights around the type of co-design we need into a framework that can be digested into a bureaucratic enough form to insert into legislation is part of the problem: This is, first and foremost, an ethics and human rights problem. It is a problem rooted in the Government being unwilling to share power with people with disability, and unwilling to acknowledge both the value of our lived experience and our capacity to take part in the drafting of legislation that impacts the most intimate parts of our daily lives. The Government would rather try to digest their view of how our daily lives should look into bureaucratic rules on their own, than listen to us about how it will impact our daily lives and their bottom line. The irony is that this Bill misses the mark by so much that it will likely cost Australia a great deal more in the coming decades, as a result of unmet needs...” “We believe that, at the heart of this discussion, this is the difference between the current NDIS Act and its intention, and the proposed legislative changes: The Bill that was tabled lacks the humanity of the original social model perspective and the ethical, compassionate approach to co-design that comes naturally to people like Uli who have lived it. And we cannot make the NDIS work without it. Genuine co-design would have found a way to make this perspective part of the fabric of the NDIS, and we cannot move forward without a legislated commitment to doing this most important part of the work... That commitment must begin with recognising the capacity of people with disability to lead this work and do it well, because the Government cannot do it well without us... [This] is what compliance with Article 4(3) of the UNCRPD looks like in practice: Letting people with disability co-design the laws and policies that enable us to be the authors of our own stories and the captains of our own ships.” Bill Shorten Amanda Rishworth Department of Social Services (DSS) Michael Sukkar Office of Senator Jordon Steele-John Public Interest Advocacy Centre Natalie Wade Chris Coombes Darren O'Donovan Rosemary Kayess Helen Dickinson Mitchell Skipsey Sheetal Balakrishnan Naomi Anderson Dr George Taleporos (GAICD, PhD) Sam Paior JP, MAICD

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"Changes to NDIS legislation – frequently asked questions Have the rules for Short Term Accommodation (STA) changed? Short Term Accommodation (STA), also known as respite, is still part of the NDIS under the category 'assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared setting.' Participants can continue to access STA based on the current guidelines. STA provides participants who have informal supports, like families and carers, the chance to stay away from home for at least one night. We usually fund this to help informal supports sustain their caring role and give participants and their informal supports time apart. It can be funded for up to 14 days at a time, with a maximum of 28 days per year. Self-managers can use unregistered providers, but STA funding cannot be used for holidays. Participants can access their usual NDIS supports while on holiday if needed. These must be from the approved list of NDIS supports." This info is from the National Disability Insurance Agency Newsletter

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As a colleague recently pointed out, right now it takes more regulation to pour a beer than it does to deliver personal supports in someone’s home. That’s got to change. Good providers want to be accountable for the supports they deliver. Now that the government has the report of the Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce, we’ve got to take that accountability and make sure it’s spread across the whole system. We need to work through the detail of the report and speak to the disability community about their impressions, but this report should be another step towards fixing a broken system. There are still lots of questions - and we’re still wary of loopholes being created that leave room for poor and unregulated practices to flourish. It’s good to see the Taskforce agrees that "pricing must remain a priority to see an uplift in quality, innovation and fairness." It is now up to government to address long standing and systemic pricing and regulatory issues and get on with the job of fixing the #NDIS

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It’s been a busy few days in the world of General Practice, particularly around workforce policies. Yesterday, the #AHPRAExpeditedPathway for internationally trained GPs was confirmed effective from October 21st. As expected, fully trained specialist GPs from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand will now be able to apply under this streamlined process. This is a bold move by AHPRA, and we welcome the effort to simplify what has traditionally been a long, costly, and complex process for SIMGs looking to practice in Australia. As outlined in the KRUK report, Australia should aim to attract the best GPs—and this new pathway is a step in the right direction. However, just a few days earlier, the government released the "Working Better for Medicare" review, which presents a bit of a contrast. While AHPRA’s initiative makes it easier for skilled GPs to move here, the Medicare review’s 26 recommendations, if implemented, could do the opposite by reducing the number of DPA locations. In simple terms, while AHPRA opens the door, the proposed Medicare changes could make it harder for GPs to find eligible areas to practice, with DPA regions potentially shrinking from 85% to around 40-45% of GP catchments. It’s a classic case of ‘one hand gives, the other takes'. What are your thoughts on these latest developments? How do you think they will impact the future of general practice in Australia? https://lnkd.in/dX_v_mqb

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It's one week today since the Senate Inquiry into perimenopause and menopause published its findings. Our article summarises the key findings so you can clearly see what it means for your organisation, healthcare, and research. See the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gGv-TEVC

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READ AND SHARE SUBMISSIONS FROM PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE DAMNING Aged Care Committee Hearing Submissions to the Senate Two submissions just published on the gov website. https://lnkd.in/gm2Sc5Fa Page 7 Item 122 Peter Willcocks (read full submission on link above) .... Residential Care is not a safe place of refuge for all. Residential Care is a terrifying thought for people who live with memories of having been stollen, forgotten, abused, abandoned. People with disability often end up imprisoned without access to an environment with the aids that kept them independent. People who require specific environmental health protection, exposure to disease in Residential Care is a terrifying thought. We must support people in their community and in their own homes... Page 7 Item 128 Dr Peter Freckleton (read full submission on link above) ... A. Remove the provision in section 24 (3) denying enforceability of the rights listed in the Statement of Rights in section 23. B. Reinstate criminal penalties for serious provider misconduct that results in the death of an individual to whom the provider owes a duty. C. Remove harsh fees and charges imposed on participants of limited means. D. Abolish RADs and DAPs E. Disability - Implement Recommendation 72 of the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Report. ...

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Economic Abuse Awareness Day - 26 November Economic Abuse Awareness Day is observed on 26 November. Terese Edwards from Single Mother Families has authored an insightful Op-Ed, and today featured a webinar with key experts discussing significant findings and recommendations for improving child support and related policy changes. For more details, refer to the full report at https://lnkd.in/gGvyZBqd. https://lnkd.in/g9TAzE2d #16DaysofActivism

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And the stories keep coming. Jacqui Grant reprieves her experience of working with both NDIS Participants and Providers, through the fumbling first steps, to the increasing frequency of major stumbles and into the current debacle of a system that seems to have just completely failed. The NDIS is in crisis. Now is not the time to redesign it. Crisis management requires stabilisation and stabilisation generally requires shutting down things that hurt. What is hurting right now is not the long term budget. What is hurting right now is the endless line of participants who have been denied supports that expert clinicians tell them are necessary. What is hurting right now is another endless line of providers being held to ransom by an agency that can no longer deliver on its most fundamental obligations to pay bills. What is hurting right now is a community of maybe three to five million stakeholders in the NDIS who are threatened with even more chaos, thrown at them in the name of "system improvement". We have been accused of catastrophising. We most definitely are not. Miriam-Webster dictionary says is catastrophising to imagine the worst possible outcome of an action or event: to think about a situation or event as being a catastrophe or having a potentially catastrophic outcome. We're not imagining the worst. We are living it. #SendaMessageToBill, #SendaMessageToAlbo, It's time for a #NDISRoyalCommission. Seriously. They are listening. We just need to turn up the volume. Share the hell out of this and every other related post. #JustDoIt. Anthony Albanese Jordon Steele-John Simon Holmes à Court Monique Ryan Zali Steggall OAM MP Allegra Spender Kylea Tink, Kate Chaney MP, Zoe Daniel Dr Sophie Scamps MP Dr Helen Haines David Pocock Deb Leonard Rebekha Sharkie Andrew Wilkie MP Dai Le MP Kate Thwaites Libby Coker MP, Richard Marles, Senator Larissa Waters, Bridget Archer, Amanda Rishworth Hollie Hughes Marie J. Tony Ridley, MSc CSyP FSyI SRMCPSamantha Connor Georgia van Toorn Vinod Ralh Annette A. Tara Hannon Mark Sweeney Graham Taylor Ruth Toomey Amanda Challen👩‍🦼 Nick Avery Paul Flintoft Shirley Humphris Cat Walker Peter Gregory https://lnkd.in/gf6b4XAU

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Whakamahia tō reo | Use your voice. We are reviewing the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 (the Act) and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code). The Act sets out what HDC can do, including how complaints can be resolved, and the Code sets out people’s rights when using health and disability services. Everyone who uses these services has rights and everyone who provides a service must uphold these rights, whether or not these services are paid for. We want to know how you think we can make the Act and the Code better. You can have your say in the public consultation, being held from 30 April to 31 July 2024, to help make sure HDC and the rights meet your needs and the needs of your whānau and communities. Find out more, and have your say, at review.hdc.org.nz. If you have any questions, you can email [email protected]; or call or text 027 283 2219 or 6448975955 if you’re using the NZ Relay Service.

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International Day of People with Disability 2024 focuses on ‘Amplifying the leadership of people with disabilities’. There are so many events in so many places but what we all really want is inclusion and an equal world.  Today I had the privilege of addressing the Department of Education at Marcus Clarke St in Canberra. I entitled my speech: “The Amplification of the leadership of people with disabilities strengthening strategic leadership and direction for the education system”. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities set out a vision for disability leadership and a more equal society. This was emphasised by the Disability Royal Commission and is central to the “nothing about us unless it is led by us” mantra. I believe in a world that is more inclusive. I further believe  higher education is the machine which can lead us to that world. We educate, we employ, we produce research and innovation and always punch above our weight in benefiting the nation. Today is no different. Today I got to work with policy experts and help craft workable solutions that will benefit everyone.  I was asked today “are you an optimist or a realist?” I say realist. Higher education helps make the impossible possible and translate dreams to a reality. Of course, my positive perspective is helped by the fact I work at a university that has been ranked #1 in Australia by the Australian Financial Review for the last 2 years and is a powerhouse at creating change. Since I am talking about the University of Queensland, let me plug our new #UQ Champions of Change Disability Inclusion Research and Innovation Plan: <https://lnkd.in/eBa8cz4z> This Plan outlines a bold vision for excellence in disability inclusion research at UQ. Developed in consultation with the research community, the Plan is a blueprint for enabling disability research, and researchers, across the University. It includes 24 actions aimed at supporting researchers with disabilities, enabling partnerships to support disability research and driving research excellence. Although this was exciting, it has meant I will be missing the UQ Disability Inclusion Advocacy Network #DIAN event! If you are on campus, then check that out!   Kate Chipperfield Kirsty Douglas Martie-Louise Verreynne Sarah Brown Jean McBain Brooke Szücs

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As professionals in the disability sector, we understand that navigating the NDIS is a collaborative journey. When families are actively involved, we can help participants achieve meaningful goals and foster personal growth. At Your Life Disability Support (YLDS), we prioritise teamwork by creating care plans that align with the aspirations of our participants and their families. Together, we can drive brighter outcomes and make a significant impact on their lives. 🌟Let’s work together to empower families and enhance their NDIS experience! 👉 To explore our collaborative approach, visit our blog! (link in the comments) #YLDS #AgedSupport #DisabilitySupport #HolisticCare #CommunityWellbeing #NDIS #familysupport #AlliedProfessional #SupportCoordination

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Choice and control in care and support. It's fundamental to better outcomes for people. But how do we make the quality and consistency of care provision - and the finances - work, when less than 10 per cent of care budgets are audited? In fact choice and control has actually been diminished as people, providers and funders find themselves unable to manage the financial aspects of care delivery. So in our latest blog, we look at how responsible financial frameworks between funder and provider are going to be the key to better care provision. This is why Alocura is working with local authorities on pilot projects across the country to get the kind of oversight, reporting and control on multimillion pound care budgets as you would for a set of ten laptops. Let us know what your challenges are in the comments! https://lnkd.in/gtECPv36

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Recidivism in youth crime and domestic violence is at an all-time high in Queensland, yet small businesses like Reconcile Life, focused on real change, have always struggled to get support from the State Government. Reconcile Life has developed a culturally relevant, inclusive behavioral change program to help break this cycle, but without backing from those in power, our community suffers. Thankfully, backing has always come from local passionate organizations like Daly Bay Coal Terminal, DBCT Infrastructure and funding from NIAA. Why aren’t community-based solutions and services like Reconcile Life not being prioritized? At this next state election, I ask that you question your candidates about how they're going to push for real change and support services at a grass roots level that make a difference. What do you think?" www.reconcilelife.com.au

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