Changes to NDIS Applications for Brain Cancer Patients

Statement from Fiona Hassmann, National Advocacy Service Manager:

After ten (10) long, arduous and highly devastating months the National Advocacy Service provided by Peace of Mind Foundation, along with Craig Cardinal, the Chair of the Australian Brain Tumour Collaborative have finally seen headway with NDIS applications being approved for the Brain Tumour Community nationally.

For those unaware, the NDIS made a sudden and sharp change mid last year to how they were reviewing applications for Brain Tumour patients nationally, including those with clinical applications lodged by their medical teams. This change was not supported by Minister Shorten, and he has been wholly supportive of this Community and our organisations whilst we have worked through the communications for resolve.

I need to be crystal clear although, the evidence layering required currently is extensive. The National Advocacy Service will work through this with you, the best that they can, however your clinical teams need to also be supportive of your application need.

NDIS is available for Australians who have significant support needs, and where their impairments are permanent or are anticipated to degenerate further. So for many who are still able to do some work, move around their homes and get jobs done albeit more slowly, and are not reliant on someone to be at home with them – in brief, will more than likely not qualify. Should your support needs be great, and that your need for another family member or friend be needing to help you to move in your home, to do your meal preparation, to complete your home and yard maintenance, to essentially be a shadow of assistance to you – then we should be lodging your application.

I often see the viewpoint of patients or their clinical teams saying “I’m/They are not that bad yet” – and this little space of ‘when’ is the right time is a super fine line indeed, I agree. However, I would ask of you to consider the changing nature of many types of Brain Tumours and to be thoughtful of the layering of supports that are in place, and decide when the right time is to start discussing this with one of our team.

NDIS is designed to bring independence, and lifestyle to those are restricted in how they can do this for themselves. It is designed to get those who are impaired out into their community, experiencing fresh air and exercise. It should provide a person impaired with the ability to contribute safely to the maintenance and upkeep of their home, and share the load around household responsibilities. NDIS further provides access to Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and where appropriate, Psychology. It is a massive positive injection into the life of someone, who is unable to complete many tasks or afford the sessions with therapists – but please consider where your line in the sand is, of where you are coping and when you are not.

I open our service to you continually, and for those that our team have had on hold please open those discussions again. Be prepared for a long waitlist however, as the backlog in those who agreed to be submitted is long. The timelines are lengthy, and the outcomes are slow, the ability to gather the layering of evidence required is difficult. This was never a fast service in the past, but slower now than it ever was before. Please be understanding to my team of wonderful Advocates, when approaching a new application as their case loads are currently very high whilst they attempt to serve as many families as is possible.

You can lodge a support request here.