Hospital Discharge of NDIS Participants with High and Complex Needs – Policy Position Statement by the Summer Foundation
July 2021
Hospital Discharge of NDIS Participants with High and Complex Needs – Policy Position Statement by the Summer Foundation
Tags: for policy makers, hospital discharge
Description:
Immediate action is needed to improve outcomes for people with complex disability. Significant reforms of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and health interface systems are needed to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and to prevent younger people with high and complex disabilities from being forced into unsuitable housing and support such as residential aged care (RAC).
Hospital discharge delays have compounding negative consequences for NDIS participants (hereafter referred to as ‘participant’ or ‘participants’) and families, NDIS and health systems, and the workers within these systems. Improvements in hospital discharge will reduce costs for both the NDIS and health systems and help fulfil the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Action Plan of no younger person (under the age of 65) living in RAC unless there are exceptional circumstances.
This report examines the various problems and solutions specific to the NDIS and health interface to minimise extended hospital stays and increase successful returns to community life for people with disabilities.