Page 1369 - Week 04 - Thursday, 10 April 2008
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(1) Was the decision to discontinue the ACT Continence Support Scheme and the later decision to reintroduce this scheme in July 2008 an error;
(2) How does the offer of $200 in interim funding to those people needing continence assistance compare with the amount of money that has been lost by those people previously receiving support from the scheme;
(3) Has the Government contacted all of those people who have been affected by the loss of the scheme to inform them of how they can claim interim assistance;
(4) What has happened to the money that the Government has saved from the discontinuation of this scheme and is that money still available to assist people who were previously receiving support from the scheme;
(5) Will the Government consider offering further compensation to ensure that those people who were previously receiving support from the scheme are adequately supported under the reintroduction of the scheme and in the interim.
Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The decision by ACT Health to discontinue the ACT Continence Support Scheme was an error.
The ACT Scheme was discontinued on the understanding that the Commonwealth’s expanded Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) would provide comparable levels of assistance to a greater number of ACT residents upon introduction of new criteria on 1 July 2007. This was incorrect.
Following feedback from clients ACT Health has decided to re-establish the original scheme.
This means that clients will contribute $23.50 per quarter to purchase heavily subsidised continence products through the ACT scheme. This is exactly the same amount that they contributed under the old scheme.
The value of the products provided to clients differs on an individual basis with this scheme, as it is based on clinical need and the nature of the referral to the service.
(2) ACT Health were initially considering the introduction of a rebate scheme for users of continence products in the ACT.
However, considerable feedback from clients has resulted in the re-establishment of the original scheme.
This means that clients will contribute $23.50 per quarter to purchase heavily subsidised continence products through the ACT scheme. This is exactly the same amount that they contributed under the old scheme.
The value of the products provided to clients differs on an individual basis with this scheme, as it is based on clinical need and the nature of the referral to the service.
(3) All former clients of the service have been advised, by letter, of the re-introduction of the scheme. Referring agents, such as General Practitioners, are also being advised so that new clients can be referred.
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