AS AN ageing mother of a disabled child, Barbara Spode wants guarantees that her daughter will continue to have quality care and long-term security.
But with the looming privitisation of Ageing, Disability and Home Care services, Mrs Spode is terrified that India, 50, and many others like her, will fall through the service "cracks" as non-government organisations, with an eye to profit, take over.
Mrs Spode said the Baird government should reconsider the agreement made by former premier Barry O'Farrell and the Gillard government which tied the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with the privatisation of services.
"There is no reason why government services should be privatised because of the NDIS roll-out," Mrs Spode said.
"NSW is now the only state that will be doing this."
Mrs Spode said that while she welcomed the NDIS which aims to bring choice and opportunities to many people, there were hundreds of families in her position "scared stiff" about what privitisation will do to their severly disabled children and their long fought-for services, now ably provided by the government.
"These are the people who are not taken on by charitable organisations, or are excluded when the going gets tough," she said.
"They are the most vulnerable minority who need well-trained staff and certainty of care for life.
"How can a charitable organisation achieve that and still balance the books? How can a commercial organisation make a profit out of them unless by reducing the quality of care by cutting staff numbers, or reducing the standard expected of staff?
"Has our society really come to this — that we make money off these people?"
Mrs Spode said that although India had lived happily in a government-run group home at Kingsgrove for many years, she has had experience with private organisations which cut programs to meet their profit commitments.
"She is my only child and I am a widow," Mrs Spode said.
"She was born with a brain that is impaired, she has physical difficulties, health problems and she is autistic.
"Obsessive-compulsive disorder and challenging behaviour means that her staff and I must always be on the alert for a 'meltdown'.
"She can't speak, but communicates by an intricate mix of signs and symbols, taught at the Autistic Association's school and greatly developed by staff of the very government department targeted to be abolished."
Mrs Spode also wants to know how the government will "transfer" services to the private sector.
"Will they sell the $880 million of bricks and mortar? Transfer the real estate for some 'consideration' ?"
REASSURANCES
Oatley MP Mark Coure said that as part of the NDIS delivery the Baird government would transfer government-run services to the non-government sector by 2018 in accordance with its agreement with the former federal Labor Gillard government.
‘‘People with disability should be comforted by the fact that the NDIS will commence rolling out across the state in mid-2016, and they will have an opportunity to plan their supports shortly after that,’’ Mr Coure said.
‘‘Currently the scheme is operating as a trial in the Hunter region only.
‘‘When the NDIS is fully implemented in mid-2018, funding will have more than doubled, so that people with disability will have choice and control over the supports they need to live a full life.
‘‘The non-government sector already provides 60 per cent of disability and community care support services in NSW and has the flexibility and responsiveness to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people
in our communities, including those with high or complex needs.’’
Mr Coure said the Baird government had introduced laws to enhance protections for those with disability.
Would you trust the private sector to care for your child with a disabilty?
