News Flash

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DISABILITY SERVICES IN DISARRAY!

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION

In a letter dated 21 March 2007 (copy here) to the Public Service Association, the Chief Executive of the Department for Families and Communities, has conceded that Disability SA will review all service delivery position vacancies to contain current cost pressure.

Previously, the PSA has advised both the Chief Executive and the Minister of DFC that cost restraint strategies are having a direct impact to clients of Disability SA. This is despite the CE's directive that direct client areas would not be affected.

Clearly these constraints are putting enormous pressure on PSA members to respond effectively to people in crisis. The PSA is aware that numerous clients with disabilities are being re-admitted to hospital rather than being provided with appropriate equipment and care to live independently at home. It is unacceptable that our members are experiencing unreasonable workloads and insufficient resources, due to budget restraints. The PSA has requested urgent meetings with DFC regarding the budget restraints however it is apparent that the Agency is quite prepared to put both members and the South Australian community at risk.

Furthermore, it is bewildering that whilst the latest Australian Productivity Commission shows that SA spends $12,229 per disabled client compared with the national average of $17,956, there is still no commitment to increasing the disability budget to enable the appropriate resourcing required to service the community.

The PSA is committed to working with members to ensure that disability services are available and vulnerable members of the community are not further disadvantaged.

Please contact PSA Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer on ian@cpsu.asn.au if you have any queries or wish to provide further information on this matter.

PSA WORKING FOR YOU