10. JUDY TURNER (Deputy Leader—United Future) Link to this
to the Minister for Disability Issues
Is she confident that having funded 28 days’ respite care for clients with high and complex needs, there are adequate services available in every region and for every age group, and if she has identified gaps, what is she doing about them?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Disability Issues) Link to this
Funding for services for clients with high and complex needs is actually a matter for the Minister of Health. However, I am informed that there is no longer a 28-day maximum, and that respite care is allocated on the basis of assessed need. On average, clients receive around 31 days’ support. Last year our Government increased residential respite care funding by $2 million, and I understand that a further increase will occur this year. Even so, shortages of service providers do occur from time to time, and they are managed as they arise.
Is the Minister aware that the current rate of $64 a night for respite care is about the same amount that used to be allocated for MPs’ daily meal allowance, and does she agree that such a comparison reflects very badly on the respite daily allowance, when caregivers are both feeding and managing clients with high and complex needs?
The member is referring to the carer support payment, which is not actually a wage. But this fact, combined with the tight labour market, will certainly contribute to the difficulty in attracting people to this role. My understanding is that announcements on the level of the carer support payments will be made shortly.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What has been done recently to improve services to clients with high and complex needs?
As I mentioned earlier, the increased funding for residential respite care will help to ensure that those families who are entitled to it will receive it. Our Government is also committed to developing and implementing a carer support strategy.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
Why have some parents of high and complex needs children found that the only option available for their children for respite care is totally unsuitable rest homes, as happened last Christmas, and can she assure the House that this will not happen next Christmas?