The CESPHN Health and Disability Interface Newsletter aims to provide information and updates about the developments that are taking place at the intersection between health and disability in the CESPHN region. It features a selection of current news items, resources and upcoming events relevant to this interface. If you would like to share content for potential inclusion in the Newsletter, please email CESPHN NDIS Transition Lead, Jenny Denford. 

The NSW Parliament has announced an inquiry into the NDIS
The committee will look at whether inadequate disability supports have resulted in greater strain on other community services, such as justice and health services. The closing date for submissions is Thursday 9 August 2018.
Click here for more information.

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Framework NDIS
An update from Disability Strategy Manager South Eastern Sydney LHD, Nicole Marchisone. It features some important information regarding the ECEI changes, effective 1 July 2018.
Click here for more information.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is a new independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. It will regulate the NDIS market, provide national consistency, promote safety and quality services, resolve problems and identify areas for improvement.
Click here for more information.

Inner West Council Libraries are offering free hearing checks through Australian Hearing
Australian Hearing is the nation’s leading hearing specialist and largest provider of Government funded hearing services. Attendees are invited to book a free 20-minute hearing test, as well as receive advice on their hearing needs. Follow-up care from Australian Hearing can be subsidised for certain concession card holders.
Click here for more information.

$2 million in funding to the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation announced
Minister for Health Greg Hunt has announced $2 million in funding to the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation for four key priorities which were set by Australians living with cerebral palsy and their families.
Click here for more information.

Psychiatry support line for GPs is now open!
If you are a GP practising in an eligible Primary Health Network, you now have access to a psychiatrist who can support you in managing the care of mental health consumers. The service is free and available Monday to Friday, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm. GPs can register for the service by visiting gpsupport.org.au or call 1800 16 17 18.
Click here for more information.

The NDIA has funded MHCC to undertake three new NDIS projects over the next two years
The Community Engagement Education Package will see MHCC working with people with lived experience to co-design a community engagement package to support people living with a mental health condition and/or at risk of developing psychosocial disability.
Click here for more information.

Optimising support for psychosocial disability
Mental Health Australia is managing an exciting project which aims to develop alternative ways to provide support for NDIS participants with psychosocial disability than those currently on offer at this stage of NDIS rollout.
Click here for more information.

Employable Me – Season 2 call out for participants
Northern Pictures, a production company in Sydney and the producers of the ABC series Employable Me, are looking for interested participants to be involved in the next season of Employable Me. More information can be found in the flyer. Please share with anyone who may be interested.
Contact Northern Pictures for more information here.

Allied health: Exercise Physiology and the NDIS
Exercise physiology services assist individuals with a variety of disabilities to improve their function, activities of daily living (ADLs) and quality of life through exercise. Under the NDIS, consumers can have exercise physiology services included in the ‘Improved Health & Well-Being Category’ of the Price Guide.
Click here for more information.

Grant: Australian Disability and Indigenous Peoples Education Fund
Grants of up to $2,500 are available to assist indigenous and non-indigenous people of any age with disabilities to participate in formal and informal education programs. Applications close Sunday 30 September 2018.
Click here for more information.

Did you miss the Q&A episode on disability and NDIS on 25 June?
The panel included:

• Kiruna Stamel: actor, dancer and advocate
• Dylan Alcott: wheelchair tennis and basketball champion turned broadcaster
• Graeme Innes: former Disability Discrimination Commissioner
• Cátia Malaquias: mother, lawyer and advocate for inclusion of disability in culture and education
• Bruce Bonyhady: former Chair of the NDIS, now Director of the Melbourne Disability Institute

Click here fore more information and to view the episode.

ABC is launching a project mapping inaccessibility across Australia’s train network
If you're a wheelchair user or care for someone in one, maybe you're a parent using a pram or you just have trouble with stairs, take this survey and share your experience using your local train network.
Click here to access the survey.

Good new stories

• 62 year old Geoffrey Cameron, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, was spending most of his time inside, as well as weekly visits to his church. One year later, a motorised scooter and a team of support workers, funded by the NDIS, have changed his life. Click here to read more.
• Turner is diagnosed with Down Syndrome and wants to be like his big brother. Griffin, lovingly referred to as Biffin, has realised that he is fortunate to have a younger brother who will be his best friend for life. Click here to watch the full video.

Cri du Chat Syndrome information pack for health professionals
Cri du Chat Syndrome (CDCS) is a rare genetic condition that incorporates distinctive physical features, intellectual disability and behavioural challenges.
Click here to view the resource.

The Summer Foundation has produced ‘NDIS & Health – Working Together'
This guide is aimed at health professionals working in a hospital setting and designed to help health and NDIS staff support people with disabilities and complex health and support needs throughout their time in, and transition out of, hospital.
Click here for more information.

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Engaging with the NDIS web page
The PHN has developed web pages for primary health providers to assist their patients access the NDIS.
Click here for more information.

Choosing your NDIS driving assessment provider
Important factors to keep in mind when deciding the right disability driving assessment provider:

• Communication
• Experience
• Expertise
• Customer understanding

Click here for more information.

NDIS YouTube
This playlist contains videos that explain how the NDIS works. With a range of topics including developing your first plan through to webinars for NDIS providers and stories of people who have are in the Scheme.
Click here to view the playlist.

National Disability Service Conference - NDIS Essential Briefing

NDS will present you with their plan for the way forward to ensure a strong and sustainable disability services sector and an NDIS that delivers on its great promise to people with disability and their families. At the conference, NDS experts will present on the local context by state; the latest news on the NDIS; pricing, planning and payments and Quality and Safeguarding.
When:  6 August 9.30 am - 3.30 pm at The Hilton, Sydney

Classification and Mapping of Health Care Ecosystems

The Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) together with Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) will be delivering a one-day training course titled “A course on Classification and Mapping of Health Care Ecosystems: Use for Mental Health Service Research and Planning”.
Click here to view the flyer.
When:  Thursday 16 August 2018 9 am – 5 pm at the CMHR, Australian National University

Reminder - AADDM 18 Conference

The program is shaping up well to be both thought provoking yet relevant for our clinical practice and will serve to highlight important issues for health services and for improving the health of people with developmental disabilities. Click here to view the program outline.
When:  6 - 7 September 2018, Aerial Function Centre, Sydney

National Disability Service Conference

Outside the Box – unpacking disability housing and workforce solutions. Disability housing and the disability workforce are two of the biggest concerns facing the disability sector. That’s why National Disability Services is hosting Outside the Box – a national two-day conference.
When:  10-11 September 2018, SMC Conference and Function Centre, Sydney

As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts. If you would like to submit an article or have suggestions on content you would be interested in reading, please email j.denford@cesphn.com.au.