Health and Disability News Australia - 29 Oct 2008

The Tweed Shire Councilis taking a creative and cooperative approach to help people with disabilities to find housing.

The council's Heather Tannock says the think tank approach will allow north coast families to explore alternative accommodation ideas. She says the think tank will bring together various groups and individuals to take a fresh look at a tricky situation. Ms Tannock says the shortage of affordable housing on the north coast makes the situation even more difficult. "That's always going to be a challenge, so we're just providing an avenue to get people thinking," she said. "It's a new idea and the need was shown in all the far north coast. Some people with disabilities just didn't have the networks, or they're living with their parents and their parents are very fearful about how they might be able to live individually."

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THE states and territories are expected to gain full control of community mental health services and hundreds of millions of dollars of commonwealth funding.

The change, which could be announced within weeks, has prompted fears from mental health experts that, without proper checks and balances, the cash-strapped states and territories could shift the funding out of community programs to prop up hospital services. The states are believed to be pushing for control over a myriad of commonwealth programs providing out-of-hospital support for the mentally ill, as part of imminent funding deals on health and disability services. The states and territories have long funded hospital psychiatric units and outpatient services as well as their own community mental health programs. The federal tier of government, however, has boosted its own contributions in the past two years, expanding its Medicare subsidies for visits to GPs, psychiatrists and psychologists and supporting non-government organisations to help mentally ill people living independently or with carers.

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THE chairman of the Future Fund says the Rudd Government has "no hope" of finding a planned $41 billion for its infrastructure, health and education investment funds in the short term.

"I don't know the timing, but on a cyclical basis there's no way those sort of surpluses will be available to any Australian government," David Murray said yesterday. "The currency has fallen, commodity prices have fallen, the global economy is contracting quite noticeably. Asia is not decoupled from that. And so on that basis it will be far more difficult to manage the budget than it has been," he told ABC's Radio National yesterday.

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The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's (HREOC's) annual report shows complaints about disability discrimination rose higher than any other category.

Complaints to HREOC have risen by 17 per cent in the last year with complaints about disability discrimination far exceeding all others, new figures show. The commission's 2007-2008 report shows that of the 2,077 complaints received, 988 (48 per cent) were lodged under the Disability Discrimination Act - more than twice the next highest group of 438 (21 per cent) complaints under the Sex Discrimination Act. In all, the organisation received 18,765 inquiries in 2007-08 - a 32 per cent increase compared to the previous year, and a 98 per cent increase since 2004-05.

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The ageing population and welfare-to-work reforms have led to a sharp increase in the number of people using disability support services, a new report shows.

The report shows the demand for services such as respite care, accommodation and employment increased by about 25 per cent between 2003 and 2007. The findings are part of an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report on the federal and state disability agreement. The report showed that demand and access to services had increased across all age groups over the four years - the largest group being people aged 45 to 64, who represented 24 per cent of service users in 2007, up from 20 per cent in 2003. Mr Baker said the report should give "urgency" to a national disability strategy, due to be implemented by state and federal governments next year.

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EGYPT - ALEXANDRIA: The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), the Youth Association for Population and Development (YAPD) and the United Nations in Egypt launched the third edition of the “Sailing the Nile for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2008” campaign this month. This year’s campaign aims to raise awareness and enhance civil society participation in efforts to achieve the MDGs through volunteerism. The 2008 edition of “Sailing the Nile for the Millennium Development Goals” has combined three different means of transport (feluccas, ICT bus and a train), as opposed to only feluccas. The campaign will continue for two months ending on Dec.13 in Cairo, conducting awareness-raising activities promoting volunteerism for the MDGs in seven more governorates across Egypt, namely, Aswan, Qena, Sohag, Assyut, Menia, Beni Suef, Cairo, in addition to the city of Luxor. Egypt is committed to the measurable and time-bound MDGs adopted by 188 world leaders in September 2000. The eight goals aim to achieve a minimum level of development by 2015 in the areas of poverty and hunger, health, gender equality, basic education, and environmental sustainability.

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A Senate submission lodged on behalf of 41 Federal MPs says Medicare funding for abortion should continue because letting disabled babies live would cost THE GOVERNMENT too much money.

“It is alarming that politicians would seemingly endorse views that advocate the abortion of babies because of their cost to the disability services budget should they be allowed to live,” Mr Shelton said. The submissions state: "The financial cost of caring for a severely disabled individual is high not only for the family, but for the community…It is logical to assume that an increase in demand for disability services as a result of the abolishment of item 16525 will place greater demand on what is already an underfunded and overwhelmed sector".

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WIMMERA and Victorian disability advocates and support groups are disappointed Horsham doctor Bernhard Moeller will have to leave Australia because of his disabled son.

Down Syndrome Association Victoria executive officer Catherine McAlpine said the decision failed to acknowledge the positive contribution of a person with down syndrome. "This unfair process is discriminatory and fails to acknowledge the contribution a person with down syndrome can make to society," she said. "It also fails to acknowledge the contribution their family can make, as is the case here. "Given all the proactive disability work that is being done in state and federal government, this is totally contradictory to all of that," she said. "It's contrary to the work being done to ensure human rights of all people with disabilities."

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The number of people using disability support services in Australia has increased by 24 per cent over the past four years, according to a report released on 29 October by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report, Disability Support Services 2006-07, showed that 232,000 people used disability support services in 2006-07, up from 188,000 in 2003-04. Most of the growth in employment services occurred in open employment services, which tend to be used by people with less severe disability than those who use supported employment services. The proportion of disability service users who always need help with basic activities such as mobility, self-care and communication has remained stable over the past four years.

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LAUNCESTON software development company Intelitec Pacific expects to double its workforce, from six to 12, after being awarded a $580,000 Intelligent Island grant.

Managing director Sean Howell said his company's Inerva accounting software was used at 30 sites around Australia and was ready for a major push into the aged care and disability support industries. "The product is predominantly an accounting system but specifically made for the aged care industry. At its core is a fully integrated accounting system." The Intelligent Island grant will be matched by Intelitec and used for a $1 million market push aimed at making Inerva the dominant accounting package in the aged care industry.

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The Rudd Government’s one-off payment to the Valley’s 3000-odd pensioners will inject more than $3 million into the local Nambucca economy.

Pensioners, first-home buyers and children were the winners in a pre-Christmas feast of one-off spending by the government. If all the Valley’s 3000 pension recipients were couples and received the $2100 one-off grant, it would inject $3.15million into the local economy.

However, considering that not all are couples, that figure will be much higher. In the $10.4 billion package announced by the Federal Government this month, each child in low and middle-income families will receive $1000.

Australian first home-buyers will attract a $14,000 grant when purchasing their first home, while they attract $21,000 if they intend to build their first home. Single pensioners will have a special one-off payment of $1400, while couples receive a $2100. Rent increases and other rising costs meant a permanent increase in aged and disability pensions was a must in the future, Mr Sekfy said.

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Australian researchers are teaming up with their United Kingdom counterparts to conduct the world's largest study of ageing.

One of the first priorities of the study will be to investigate hip fractures, which are a major cause of disability and death in the elderly. Australia's population is ageing rapidly, with the over-65 age group estimated to increase by 50 per cent in the next 20 years.

News for Seniors

THE Aged Care Commissioner has been ordered to reopen an inquiry into allegations of abuse at a Central Coast nursing home. Members of the Federal Government's reference group into sexual assault at aged-care homes called yesterday for tougher screening of prospective workers, after two staff at the Peninsula Village home at Umina Beach were sacked amid allegations of sexual abuse. The Herald yesterday reported that a third complaint was lodged against the home in July last year outlining claims of physical abuse.

Coming Events

Don Stephens, Founder of the international faith-based charity, will visit Australia in November.

Don and Deyon Stephens will be in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle and Sydney from November 15 to November 20, before flying to for New Zealand for further celebrations. Among activities planned will be meetings with supporters and Australian volunteers, past and present. The Africa Mercy is the world’s largest private hospital ship, with 6 operating theatres, a 78-bed hospital, and a crew of 450. A permanent land-based program operates in Sierra Leone, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships offers a range of health and community development services free of charge. Highly skilled surgeons on board the ships perform thousands of operations each year to correct disability, disfigurement and blindness. Medical and dental teams travel the countries and establish clinics to provide vaccination programs, dental treatment and basic health care for those with no access to these facilities.

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Companies and yacht owners are invited to compete in this year’s Giant Steps Sydney, Autism Sailing Regatta to be held at Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Friday, 31st October 2008.

Last year more than 20 yachts competed in this annual event which raised in excess of $70,000 for children with autism; a condition now affecting more children than diabetes, cancer and aids put together. All money raised on the day goes directly to helping the children with autism reach their potential. No prior sailing experience is required - yachts come with skipper and necessary crew. For more information on how to get involved contact Anna Trayner on 0423 673 279 or Ingrid Michalowsky on 0414 499 627.