A Dapto mother has launched a battle to ensure her disabled daughter receives vital NDIS-funded supports while hospitalised, arguing the current system is leaving vulnerable patients without essential care.
Mother's Struggle for Daughter's Rights
The mother, who has not been named, says her daughter requires constant supervision and specialised care due to her severe disability. However, when the child was admitted to hospital, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) stopped funding these supports, leaving the mother to fill the gap.
She claims that without NDIS funding for in-hospital care, her daughter's health and wellbeing are at risk. The mother has been forced to stay by her daughter's bedside around the clock, sacrificing her own health and other responsibilities.
Systemic Issues in NDIS Hospital Policy
The case highlights a broader issue where NDIS funding typically ceases once a participant is admitted to hospital, as the health system is expected to cover all care. However, families argue that hospitals are not equipped to provide the specialised, one-on-one support that many disabled individuals need.
Advocates say this gap in the system leaves parents, often mothers, to become unpaid carers in hospital settings. They are calling for policy changes to ensure continuity of NDIS supports during hospital stays.
Community and Political Response
The mother's plight has gained attention from local MPs and disability advocacy groups. A spokesperson for the federal NDIS minister said the government is aware of the concerns and is working on reforms to improve the scheme's flexibility.
Meanwhile, the mother continues to fight for her daughter's rights, hoping that her case will lead to changes that benefit other families in similar situations.
