Villa Maria Society Wantirna Community Rehab Centre Submission

Attention:
Aids and Equipment redevelopment review team
Wantirna Community Rehabilitation Centre
Villa Maria Wantirna site
355 Stud Road, 3152
Wantirna Community Rehabilitation team of allied health staff frequently
access the Aids and Equipment program in the inner and outer south east
regions of Melbourne.
The majority of clients attending the rehab program are pensioners who are
living independently in their home and community and require equipment to
either enhance their independence or increase their safety. They have a
variety of health problems and often are financially restricted.
The team of allied health staff have reviewed your Service delivery model and
would like to comment on the following areas:
1. Developing a contemporary policy framework.
We agree with the aims/principles/objectives outlined in your paper
however once established we feel a review of the overall funding and
allocated funding limits for specific pieces of equipment is in urgent need
of being done as this has now become a limiting factor to the program and
who is able to utilize it and therefore its overall value to the community.
2. Proposed Service delivery model.
We would require further clarification on the time period that you consider
as “a timely manner” to determine if this will have a positive impact.
� We propose after 6 weeks a review of the equipment is done
with the client to determine its suitability and utilization. The
VA&E staff should be responsible for this so to get an unbiased
comment by the client. A clear and easy return procedure should
be established so equipment is not wasted or used incorrectly.
� The possibility of loan equipment as part of the program for
therapists to try with clients prior to submitting an application to
determine suitability and client acceptance but reduces centres
having to store and purchase large variety of aids and
equipment.
3. Core functions of state wide centre.
It would be very beneficial if all applications and forms could be filled in
and lodged directly, via the website to avoid the writing required at present.
4. Options for consideration.
Option 1 is the preferred service model as we see this allowing the
following outcomes:
� Budget flexibility
� Seamless for client no matter what they require.
� Easier is accessed as a child for future access as an adult.
Villa Maria Society ABN 32 004 364 103
Registered Office: 6 Studley Park Road Kew Victoria 3101
Private Bag 20 Kew Victoria 3101
T: (03) 9855 7600 Freecall 1800 036 377 F: (03) 9855 7899
E: villamaria@villamaria.com.au W: www.villamaria.com.au

� Agree we need a clinical advisor role however would require
further clarification and guidelines on how and when to use
them.
5. Procurement
We are concerned regarding the concept of low cost items being nonreturnable
for the following reasons:
� This could result in equipment being used by the community
incorrectly e.g. people purchase from OP shops or pass
equipment onto a friend and use it at the wrong heights,
locations in rooms etc. This applies especially to mobility
equipment provided by Physiotherapists and personal ADL
equipment provided by Occupational therapists that require the
opinion and advice of a professional.
� We feel a clear and highly profiled return system would
encourage clients to return items and make them available for
re-issue. If equipment has been held for a certain period of time
and it is identified it has been well used then it becomes nonreturnable,
and probably is ready to be thrown out so would not
be used by others in the community.
6. Next stages
No we don’t feel a different approach is needed for rural and metro
Yes we feel a clinical advisor is necessary. We also feel follow up of
equipment use for both high and low cost items could also become part of
their role. With their knowledge they could investigate with the client the
issue with the equipment and either contacts the prescribing therapist or
advises the client regarding the equipment and resolves the problem.
As mentioned we do not fully support the low cost items are non-returnable
policy, see previous comments regarding alternative proposal.
Key factors to focus on in the transition are:
New forms, educating therapists, communication systems and approach
needs to be good, website needs to be easy to use, funding issues need to
be addressed.
We also propose the idea of having agencies that use VA&E actually
register with you so any communication etc is not lost with the smaller
agencies or those outside the primary care partnerships. It would also be
a means of monitoring who is using this program and the main areas they
are accessing.
Thank you for the opportunity of having input into this review and we look
forward to hearing about the final outcome.
Regards
Julie Myers, Jo-Ann Petersen and Janis Brown
Occupational Therapists Wantirna Community Rehab Centre
Villa Maria.
Villa Maria Society ABN 32 004 364 103
Registered Office: 6 Studley Park Road Kew Victoria 3101
Private Bag 20 Kew Victoria 3101
T: (03) 9855 7600 Freecall 1800 036 377 F: (03) 9855 7899
E: villamaria@villamaria.com.au W: www.villamaria.com.au