GPs play a vital role in disability care and should have input into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) planning process to improve supports for patients.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) made the recommendations in a submission to the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said GPs are key to improving care for NDIS patients.
“GPs support Australians with disability right throughout their life, working with other health professionals and support services, and have in-depth knowledge of what supports have worked for their patient, and what haven’t,” she said.
“This is why the RACGP is recommending that GPs have input into the NDIS planning process and be able to communicate with NDIS planners. Input from a patient’s GP will help make the planning process more efficient and ensure patients get the right supports to achieve their goals.
“We also recommend making NDIS forms more user-friendly, less prescriptive and able to integrate with general practice software. The current NDIS Access Request Form is overly complicated and makes it hard for GPs to articulate the impact of a patient’s functional impairment.
“The RACGP is also keen to consult with government on the recommendation from last year’s NDIS Review final report to establish NDIS navigators to connect people with disability to supports in their local communities.
“We know patients get the best outcomes when their GP and other health professionals and support services work together. So, it makes sense for NDIS navigators to link in with general practice teams, so everyone is working together for the patient.
“The government’s efforts to reform the NDIS are welcome, and I look forward to continuing to provide insights and recommendations from GPs who care for people with disability across Australia. We can do a lot better to ensure people with disability get the support they need to thrive, while also making the NDIS more efficient and sustainable.”