#84 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with Dr Melita Cullen GP

Dr Melita Cullen is a GP who has a special interest in paediatrics and the NDIS. She also has 2 children utilising the NDIS so has both professional and personal knowledge and insight into this process.   Today we discuss the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) including: What is the NDIS and who is eligible? What are the funding packages and what can participants use them on and not use them on? How much can they receive?  Who is controlling what the person is allocated and how/where it is used? What is the process for people applying for the NDIS? What is this process like for people (first-hand experience) How do GPs and health professionals complete a form successfully?  How much evidence do we need? Are there adult and paediatric functional assessment tools? Are there templates we can use? What is the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)? Are GPs renumerated for it? (short answer - yes if the patient in consult with you based on time)  Can we appeal the decision made? Are there regular reviews and how long does it continue for? What resources are available to help health professionals complete these?   Resources: Dr Melita Cullen's paediatric functional assessment form (also relevant parts for adults as well) = https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BKlAJD5fRMkRCbXB7eVXHLi8-zKPnpOY/view?usp=sharing  PHN (this the best one I can find as it has examples/templates of functional impairments from page 16 of the document [or 23/60 of the pdf]) http://www.brisbanenorthphn.org.au/content/Document/BNPHN_Understanding_Your_Role_NDIS_GP_Toolkit_May2018_FINAL_WEB.pdf RACGP NDIS booklet - (you may need to login to the RACGP website) https://www.racgp.org.au/running-a-practice/practice-resources/general-practice-guides/ndis-information-for-general-practitioners NDIS - https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply/information-gps-and-health-professionals   Further episodes at www.facebook.com/thegpshow.podcast   Rating the podcast 5 stars and leaving a review in iTunes is a great help. Enjoy Friends