❓ A Western Australian parliamentary question on notice addresses the implementation and accessibility of the state's incontinence subsidy program, questioning its reach, eligibility criteria, product suitability, delivery method, and public awareness efforts. The government's response provides data on subsidy recipients, reasons for ineligibility, product options, justification for the chosen subsidy model, and details of the advertising campaign.
AnsweredQoN 2480Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(a) how many Western Australian incontinence sufferers have been provided with the $470 annual subsidy to purchase incontinence pads since the program commenced on 1 February 2007;
(b) how many Western Australian incontinence sufferers have been refused access to the annual subsidy, and for what reasons;
(c) what provision is made to assist incontinence sufferers when the products provided through the service are too big or uncomfortable to wear;
(d) given other states provide the incontinence subsidy direct to the incontinence sufferers to purchase their own products, why didn’t the State Government provide the subsidy as a cash payment to Western Australian incontinence sufferers to allow them to purchase incontinence products that suit their individual needs; and
(e) what advertising program has the State Government undertaken to alert the public of Western Australia to the fact that the incontinence subsidy is now available?
(b) how many Western Australian incontinence sufferers have been refused access to the annual subsidy, and for what reasons;
(c) what provision is made to assist incontinence sufferers when the products provided through the service are too big or uncomfortable to wear;
(d) given other states provide the incontinence subsidy direct to the incontinence sufferers to purchase their own products, why didn’t the State Government provide the subsidy as a cash payment to Western Australian incontinence sufferers to allow them to purchase incontinence products that suit their individual needs; and
(e) what advertising program has the State Government undertaken to alert the public of Western Australia to the fact that the incontinence subsidy is now available?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 August 2007
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
54 days
(a) Since the Continence Management and Advice service commenced in February 2007, 234 people have been prescribed a subsidy.
(b) Since February 2007, 59 people have been ineligible for the annual subsidy. Of these, 56 have been referred to an alternative continence financial assistance schemes [such as the Australian Government's Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS)], and three did not have a chronic incontinence condition.
(c) A wide range of products, including sizes and styles, are available upon prescription by Continence Advisors according to best practice clinical guidelines. The products are selected from the existing WA Government Common Use Arrangements. Should clients be dissatisfied with the products prescribed they are advised to contact their Continence Advisor in the first instance, and if necessary a further appeals mechanism can be implemented. Where appeals cannot be resolved at the service provider level (Silver Chain) they can be directed to the formal Continence Management and Advice Service (CMAS) Appeals Committee managed by the Department of Health.
(d) The WA Government has linked the subsidy prescription with clinical assessment and management. This model for incontinence subsidy ensures that the subsidy is allocated on the basis of clinical need and that products prescribed are chosen for individuals according to clinical evidence-based best practice.
(e) The Continence Management and Advice Service is being publicised through Silver Chain Nursing Association, which has been awarded the contract. The clinical service and subsidy is being publicised in a communication strategy which has included:
· Media articles in relevant community newspapers (13); and
· Information packages (including brochures and posters) sent to Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs), social work departments in area health services throughout WA, 20 peak bodies, Health Consumers' Council, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, 245 pharmacies, Practice Nurse co?ordinators, Aged Care co-ordinators in Divisions of General Practice, and Practice Managers in Divisions of General Practice.
To date, approximately 7,500 brochures and 450 posters have been distributed.
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(b) Since February 2007, 59 people have been ineligible for the annual subsidy. Of these, 56 have been referred to an alternative continence financial assistance schemes [such as the Australian Government's Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS)], and three did not have a chronic incontinence condition.
(c) A wide range of products, including sizes and styles, are available upon prescription by Continence Advisors according to best practice clinical guidelines. The products are selected from the existing WA Government Common Use Arrangements. Should clients be dissatisfied with the products prescribed they are advised to contact their Continence Advisor in the first instance, and if necessary a further appeals mechanism can be implemented. Where appeals cannot be resolved at the service provider level (Silver Chain) they can be directed to the formal Continence Management and Advice Service (CMAS) Appeals Committee managed by the Department of Health.
(d) The WA Government has linked the subsidy prescription with clinical assessment and management. This model for incontinence subsidy ensures that the subsidy is allocated on the basis of clinical need and that products prescribed are chosen for individuals according to clinical evidence-based best practice.
(e) The Continence Management and Advice Service is being publicised through Silver Chain Nursing Association, which has been awarded the contract. The clinical service and subsidy is being publicised in a communication strategy which has included:
· Media articles in relevant community newspapers (13); and
· Information packages (including brochures and posters) sent to Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs), social work departments in area health services throughout WA, 20 peak bodies, Health Consumers' Council, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, 245 pharmacies, Practice Nurse co?ordinators, Aged Care co-ordinators in Divisions of General Practice, and Practice Managers in Divisions of General Practice.
To date, approximately 7,500 brochures and 450 posters have been distributed.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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