Shortening hospital discharge wait for NDIS participants reaps rewards
15 February 2023 at 6:39 pm
New report finds reducing hospital discharge delays for NDIS participants has saved up to half a billion dollars so far, as governments meet to set the disability sector’s 12-month agenda.
A federal government scheme to reduce the number of days NDIS participants who are medically ready for discharge stay in hospital has saved state and territory health systems up to $548.8 million, according to a new report.
The Australian Medical Association’s review into ‘hospital exit block’ – when hospital patients can be medically discharged but have no safe destination – revealed that hospital discharge delays for people on or eligible for the NDIS reduced from a national average of 160 to 36 days between June and November last year, saving between $205 and $548.8 million.
It comes as disability ministers across Australia convened in Canberra for the first meeting of the Disability Reform Ministerial Council (DRMC) last week.
Continuing to implement the hospital discharge scheme, which includes additional dedicated staff, streamlined processes, better NDIA collaboration and enhanced data collection, is predicted to save the Australian health system up to $1.32 billion annually.
“Languishing in the wrong setting is not only detrimental to the wellbeing of the person with disability but is a shocking cost for state hospital systems. There are no winners,” said NDIS minister Bill Shorten.
“This is responsible stewardship of the NDIS in action.”
Progress on reducing hospital exit block was a key item discussed at the first meeting of the DRMC, where Shorten joined disability ministers to set a collective agenda for the year ahead, aimed at improving the lives of people with disability.
Several priorities were agreed upon, including improving outcomes and building an evidence base; closing market gaps and ensuring access to quality and safe services; accessible communities; ensuring the NDIS and mainstream system work well together; and delivering the NDIS Review.
Social services minister Amanda Rishworth said the DRMC plays a critical role in minimising silos in policy development and enabling the diverse needs of people living with disability to be considered by the government.
“There are 4.4 million Australians living with disability – that’s one in six of us – and it’s important the supports we provide as governments are embedded right across society,” said Rishworth.
“The Albanese government is committed to creating a better life for Australians with disability, and the Disability Reform Ministerial Council helps us share this commitment with all states and territories.”
Among a range of action items, the council also endorsed the work plan for Australia’s Disability Strategy Advisory Council, critical in the implementation and monitoring of the strategy, as well as the report from the 2022 Australia’s Disability Strategy Forum, which provided an opportunity for people with lived experience to discuss and shape the strategy.
Disability advocate Dylan Alcott AO attended the meeting as a special guest, reflecting on his time as Australian of the Year and work in the sector, including delivering Get Skilled Access and Accenture NDIS 2.0 paper and launching disability employment website The Field.
“Mr Alcott’s work continues to put a national spotlight on disability rights and this year has been ground-breaking,” said Shorten.
“I thank Mr Alcott for his tireless efforts advocating for a more inclusive Australia and commend his remarkable achievements this year.”
The next DRMC meeting is planned for March 2023.
