Case Number: 2018/23305
Date of Findings: 11 March 2022
Magistrate: Deputy State Coroner, Magistrate Harriet Grahame
Catchwords: CORONIAL LAW – Accidental fall from height; wandering in a patient with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia; “social admission” to hospital; Provision of disability services through NDIS; Discharge planning.
Responses
| Response | Status |
|---|
| Minister for Health | Received (PDF, 1.0 MB) |
| United Disability and NDIA | Awaiting |
Recommendations
To the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD):
- That NNSWLHD give consideration to implementing an admission process whereby explicit consideration is given and recorded as to whether the patient experiences a disability and/or is a NDIS participant. Further, that explicit consideration is given (and recorded) to identifying any barriers to care that may be associated with the disability so that the necessary service adjustments can be made. The process should explicitly record whether consideration has been given to a referral to the Health Disability Inclusion Manager in the first instance.
- That NNSWLHD give consideration to the Revised Algase Wandering Scale (RAWS) – Long-Term Care Version for implementation and/or adaption for those patients who present with a history of wandering or who engage in wandering whilst admitted.
To the United Disability and the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA):
- That all staff engaged in casework, Team and Support Coordinator roles and managerial roles at United Disability (ACCnet21) complete mandatory training in consultation with an NDIA representative in
a. the requirements under NDIS act regarding the approval, review and increasing funding for a participant;
b. training regarding the terms of the “Determining Need - Identifying Suitable Housing Solutions guideline; and
c. training regarding the evidence required in completion of all forms submitted to the NDIA, including but not limited to “Plan Review Report”; Change of Circumstance Form; Review of a Reviewable Decision form; Support Coordination End of service Report and advice form.
