For our community in this present time, it’s not business as usual. However, this is also a time when the work we are doing at IDS is most vital. We have spoken with several of our clients and their families recently and will keep engaging our community through emails, phone calls and social media.
If you have a question or concern, please email feedback@idsa.org.au or call 03 9340 5100.
Latest Information
As you may be aware, Stage 3 restrictions were put in place across Victoria on 31 March 2020.
Key information regarding our sector:
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Gatherings are now restricted to no more than 2 people except for members of your immediate household, and for caregiving, work or education.
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Only essential travel is allowed. You can still go grocery shopping, head outdoors for exercise and to your local shops for a takeaway meal.
We hope you feel at ease knowing IDS, as an essential service, will continue to provide support to you. We know that in times of uncertainty it is comforting to have some degree of consistency and regular routine, even if it’s as simple as seeing a familiar face.
As we continue to operate, our staff continue to exercise a high degree of vigilance and consideration in not only looking after their own health and wellbeing, but also protecting you.
We continue to follow the below measures outlined by the DHHS from Stage 2:
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Practicing safe hygiene, including washing hands frequently
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Using Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, hand sanitiser and face masks
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Where possible, ensuring social distancing measures are followed
Infection Control and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
IDS staff have also completed additional Infection Control training provided by the Australian Department of Health, specific to COVID-19.
IDS has now made PPE available to all our workers, specifically face masks, hand sanitizer and gloves. You can request your IDS workers to use PPE if you feel more comfortable.
New Changes from the NDIA
In response to COVID-19, the NDIA has introduced several changes as of 25 March. These include temporary changes to cancellation and service fees.
The following supports will have increased price limits by 10 percent (not applicable to support coordination items), with review scheduled for six months’ time:
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Assistance with Daily Life (not including Supported Independent Living)
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Assistance with Social and Community Participation
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Improved Health and Wellbeing (not including personal training)
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Improved Daily Living Skills
The definition of short notice cancellation has also changed.
For six months, you will be required to provide 10 business days’ notice for a cancellation to avoid paying the full fee for cancelled services. This will be reviewed in three months’ time and consider the status of COVID-19. Visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/price-guides-and-pricing#cancellations for further details.
Support Coordination
The NDIA has also made changes for support coordination services. Three new support coordination items have been added as part of your core funding to assist you in planning flexibility during this time.
If you haven’t used support coordination before, it is a service that can be used for connecting you to services and providers that fit your needs, setting up supports, negotiating with service providers and checking you are happy with your goals and plans.
IDS are excited to announce we can offer these support coordination services to you. For more information about how we can help, contact us at support@idsa.org.au or 03 9340 5100. For further details from the NDIS, visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/4676-covid-19-updates.
NDIS Information on Coronavirus
NDIS has dedicated a page for participants that provides disability specific information about Coronavirus. Visit the page at https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/participants-coronavirus-covid-19.
Please feel free to call the office or send an email to support@idsa.org.au to discuss if there’s anything more we can do to make your life better, more enjoyable, or just help in any way.
We’ll always be here for you.
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If you have a question or concern related to this article, email feedback@idsa.org.au or phone 03 9340 5100.
