FAMILIES across the region have been devastated by closure of the Central Victorian Child Health branch in Echuca.
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When its doors shut last week it meant parents have to take their kids to Shepparton and Bendigo to receive care required under their individual NDIS funding. With waitlists already long, parents are now worried about what could happen to their children.
The Echuca branch provides services in paediatrics, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, continence management and autism spectrum disorder assessments.
Julie Dullard’s granddaughter is on the autism spectrum and regularly used the speech pathology services at the clinic.
“I looked at my granddaughter and we were lost for words,’’ Julie said.
‘‘Her speech therapist was more than just that – it’s not fair to her.
“But it’s not just her, there are so many children and families struggling to have their medical needs funded through the NDIS and now they’ve been told, with only two weeks’ notice, these services are taken away.
‘‘We weren’t given enough notice, we have no contact with our former specialists and we have no idea where to go.
“It’s ridiculous.”
According to Central Victorian Child Health’s website, the Ogilvie Ave clinic’s aim has been to provide the highest quality health care to young patients and their families.
The Central Victorian Child Health group opened in 2010 and has been a lifeline to many families as a registered NDIS provider.
Vanessa Grillett is a single parent whose child used the occupational therapy services at the clinic. Vanessa found out about the closure through Julie’s post on Facebook.
“It all comes down to the NDIS and the problems they keep on facing,’’ she said.
“My son has built up a relationship with his occupational therapist. He used to think these sessions were a joke but now he does his exercises. Luckily he got to say goodbye to his specialists, others who have built their own strong relationships won’t.
“At his last appointment, we were told we probably won’t be able to see the same OT at another clinic. Our hopes have really been flattened.
“The doctors and receptionists have become like family to us. It’s a place where we can go and they allow us to vent, know our struggles and help us through.
“No parent wants to sit down with a complete stranger and have to explain what’s going on with their child. And now we’re forced to.
“This centre has a place here and heaps of people use this service.
“These kids have a lot to offer to the world but they can’t get the rights, education or support they need.
“The government needs to support these services.’’
Central Victorian Child Health medical director and owner Dr Andy Lovett said the reason for the closure was the unpredictable and continual changes the government makes in its NDIS services.
“We are absolutely devastated about the closure and we are so sorry to the families who used our services,” he said.
“We set up the Echuca branch to help families needing to access care for the NDIS. It has become so complex and the government changes the rules on us without notice. We’ve tried to work it out with them but we couldn’t.
‘‘We can’t keep waiting and losing money for the government to get their act together — we had to be efficient.”
Federal member for Murray Damian Drum said he’d been in contact with Dr Lovett after the closure was announced.
‘‘I have spoken to Dr Lovett and I’ve been able to go through his concerns with him,’’ he said.
‘‘I am confident families will still be able to access the services they need.’’
In a statement from the NDIS, the reasons for the closure continue to remain vague.
‘‘NDIS participants and the Echuca community have access to more than 10 other early childhood support providers,’’ the spokesperson said.
‘‘The NDIS is a participant centric scheme. This means funding arrangements under previous service systems have been replaced with person-directed funding, giving people with disability choice and control over the services and supports they receive.
‘‘Providers are adapting the way they do business; to work under fee-for-service arrangements based on individualised NDIS funding.
‘‘The NDIS presents opportunities for providers nationally to deliver disability supports through business models appropriate to participant needs. Providers determine their own service model, including business decisions to continue or withdraw the provision of services.
‘‘The NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) will work with the NDIS participants who are impacted by Central Victorian Child Health to assist them to transition to alternate providers of their choice. Should any NDIS participants have concerns following Central Victorian Child Health decision, they are encouraged to contact the NDIS directly.’’
The Central Victorian Child Health will still be open in Bendigo and Shepparton. People can use the NDIS website for more advice on where to go.