MSWA Bulletin Magazine Summer 2018

ACCURATE NAVIGATION
IS KEY TO NDIS SUCCESS
GEOFF HUTCHINSON, MSWA NDIS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
A quick scan of the fact sheets and publications page on the
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) website provides
the reader with over 150 hyperlinks to individual articles and
fact sheets about the will and won’t and do and don’ts of the
NDIS. Readers are provided with articles outlining subjects
ranging from a ‘Guide to being an NDIS Participant’ to
‘Assistance Animal Guidance’, and everything in between.
But which of this extensive library of information is important
and/or relevant to you; what exactly do you need to know to
successfully navigate the NDIS process?
As someone who only recently began the process of learning
as much about the NDIS as possible, it soon became apparent
to me that there were no easy answers, or a single source of
truth, when it comes to the NDIS.
While the information provided by the NDIA is useful, the
requirement for it to be generalised across all disability groups
and areas, means that the roadmap towards reasonable
and necessary remains unclear. Moreover, with delays in
the planning process and increased pressure on Local Area
Coordinators as new areas come on-line and participants
transfer from WANDIS to the NDIS, it’s more important
than ever to get clear and concise guidance at every step of
the process.
A recent review of the NDIS process highlighted five stages a
person will go through during plan development ranging from
information gathering, eligibility, pre-planning and planning
through to plan commencement. Each of these steps requires
the participant to provide clear and concise information to the
NDIA planner and each step has the potential to delay or even
derail an application, should that information not be provided.
Additionally, we are finding that the difference between a
successful and unsuccessful application can come down to
the use of approved terminology.
The best example of this comes during the eligibility
assessment stage. Here participants are required to provide
the NDIA planner with an ‘Evidence of Disability Form’
which outlines the impact of a participant’s condition. These
assessments can be completed by a local GP and many new
applicants choose to go down this route. However, we are
increasingly finding that these GP assessments are being
rejected due to ‘insufficient functional impact’ which may
result in the need for an appeal or starting the process all
over again. While the GP undeniably has the best intention
in supporting their patients, they are required to assess
you in a 30-minute appointment between a myriad of other
duties. On the other hand, MSWA provides Members with a
Nursing Assessment which is personalised, accurate, and
will utilise NDIS terminology to outline the functional impact
of your condition. While acceptance is no certainty, the clearer
we outline your requirements, the greater your chances
of success.
Another area of concern when navigating the planning process
is understanding what will and what won’t be included in your
NDIS plan. While the mission of the NDIS is for everyone to
have an individualised plan that helps them achieve their
personal goals, the reality is that many individuals are finding
that their plans fall short of this outcome. For example, the
goal of watching your kids play sport may seem like a simple
enough request, but how does a new participant know how
to breakdown all the services required for that request to
become a reality, or even that this is an acceptable goal?
Again, this is where the our NDIS team can assist by working
with you to identify your desired outcomes from the NDIS
and what the best support is to achieve them. Our highly
experienced team will work you through pre-planning and can
even attend your NDIS planning interview with you to ensure
nothing is missed. The level of support we deliver is up to the
individual, but it’s important to know it’s available and the
information is personalised just for you.
The road from enquiry to ongoing NDIS planning may have
many twists and turns but thankfully you are able to turn
to the team here at MSWA for advice, answers, advocacy
and support. Our goal as a department, and MSWA as an
organisation, is to provide you with personalised support
and guidance throughout your NDIS journey. We have now
successfully commenced over 500 NDIS plans and continue
to review outcomes to ensure we support our Members to get
the best from the NDIS.
If you would like more information about navigating
the NDIS, please give one of our Client Relationship
Coordinators a call on 1300 097 989, email us at
ndisenquiries@mswa.org.au or keep a look out for our
information sessions coming to an area near you.
Want to access research articles?
Here are the places you can access up to date research
articles relating to multiple sclerosis:
• Vitality – Our monthly research focussed e-newsletter
• Our website – https://mswa.org.au/news/latest-news
• Right here as part of your Member magazine Bulletin.
It includes great research articles and information every quarter.
Just email communications@mswa.org.au if you would like any further information.
On another note, it is with some sadness that the NDIS team,
and MSWA, announces the departure of NDIS Business
Development Manager Nigel Carey. Nigel was instrumental
in setting up the outstanding NDIS team at MSWA. His
enthusiasm and passion helped to keep everyone motivated
and moving forward during a period of uncertainty and
change. It should not be underestimated the impact Nigel has
had on this organisation and on behalf of everyone here at
MSWA we wish him all the best for his future endeavours.
On a personal note I am very pleased to introduce myself
as the new NDIS Business Development Manager at MSWA.
I have been in the role for just over two months and have
thoroughly enjoyed my experience. My goal is to continue the
excellent work Nigel and the team started, while working to
ensure we always offer best practice service to our Members.
I previously spent five years working across the tertiary
education sector and 10 years working within the not-forprofit
Health sector. I look forward to meeting more of you in
the months ahead as I continue my career with MSWA.
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