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MSWA Bulletin Magazine Spring 2020

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  • Mindfulness
  • Coordination
  • Bulletin
  • Lottery
  • Bulletin
  • Accommodation
  • Camps
  • Neurological
  • Ndis
  • Outreach
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Support coordination | Mindfulness for beginners | Camps are back! | Outreach news

STRATEGIC SUPPORTS AND

STRATEGIC SUPPORTS AND RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN, MSCN GENERAL MANAGER STRATEGIC SUPPORTS AND RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS “The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don’t give up.” Robert Tew. I thought this quote is probably quite relevant for so many of us as we face the many challenges that present to us personally and as a society. Obviously, the current challenge remains COVID-19, and the life changing restrictions it has imposed on us. Thankfully Western Australia has been less impacted by this highly infectious disease but things could have been very different had we not heeded sound advice and restricted our activities and followed the key preventative messaging. But we must not get complacent as a second wave is a real risk and the impact could well be greater. MSWA continues to keep hard at work, and we have much to be grateful for, and to look forward to. The recent MSWA Mega Home Lottery was an amazing success and one of our Customers and her husband took out the grand prize! Read about their story in this edition of Bulletin. We are contributing another record amount to neurological research again this year – million, supporting researchers looking at the cause, better treatments and hopefully cures for MS and other neurological conditions. We are very proud of our capacity to support the research efforts which bring hope and better outcomes for so many people and their families, both now and into the future. We continue to be impressed and proud of the great research teams we support and collaborate with right here in WA, they are all quite innovative. There is a passion to get results and have a positive impact for those living with neurological conditions, whether that’s through discovering new information about the cause and risk of developing a condition or evaluating new therapies and identifying those who can most benefit; stay tuned for our updates. We are expanding our High Support Accommodation program as previously mentioned and we are glad things can now start to get back on track. We have recently commenced construction of the Albany Facility (10 units) and adjoining Services Centre. We are in the planning stage for our Shenton Park development; 20 units will be on that site. Our Respite facilities re-opened after a COVID-induced hiatus. The staff were so excited to welcome our Customers back to City Beach and Treendale. Many Customers were glad to book an essential break once again from their daily home routines and, for their carers, a well-earned break to recharge their batteries. 2020 has been a real challenge for Australia, and indeed the world, not only due to COVID-19 and the impact that has had on our freedom of movement and, for many, their employment opportunities, but also, the ongoing forces of nature with bushfires and storms wreaking havoc. Hopefully things will get back to a semblance of normality and 2021 can be a year of calm and safety. As we can’t travel overseas, or in some cases even interstate, Christmas may be different but hopefully we will get a chance to enjoy the company of our family and friends and refresh ready for the new year. One positive outcome has been families reconnecting and people again enjoying home cooking and crafts. So be prepared for homemade gifts this year! 6

MEMBER & CLIENT SERVICES NICOLA WASHINGTON GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER & CLIENT SERVICES Welcome to the spring edition of our Member & Client Services Bulletin. Wonderful to see us getting back to some warmer weather and lovely sunny days. As we continue to be lucky in WA at keeping COVID-19 under control, it is also good to know that we are nearly through the flu season. Understandably, it is still a difficult time for those missing families across states and internationally, as there still remains some restrictions on our borders. It does highlight the importance of staying connected and I encourage you to use the resources available to you through MSWA, and contact us if you need any help or advice. Our Outreach team have been busy ramping up activities over the past few months. There have been some great activities happening, including a morning of live music at Wilson recently, it was great to see spirits lifted and everyone having fun. See more on Outreach on page 30. We have recommenced our group sessions, including coffee catch ups and support groups, so keep an eye out for the latest information on dates and times or contact us if you would like to know more about what is coming up. Great news is that our Albany build is under way for our new Accommodation and Services Centre. This will be an exciting project through 2021, managed by Andrea Taylor. Regular updates will be provided on the progress with the build. Here is the NDIS WA quarterly results snapshot: / 33,062 participants have entered the Scheme since July 2013. An increase of 5,174 since last quarter. / Increase in active participants receiving supports for the first time rising to 15,017. / 6,644 plans have been reviewed this quarter. / Average days to complete first plan after the access requirements have been met (age 7 and over) – 120 days / Plan utilisation was 63% over a six month period with 17% of regions in Western Australia falling below the benchmark. / North East Metro continues to have the highest number of active participants (5,556) while Goldfields-Esperance continues to have the lowest (502). The number of participants in the NDIS continues to grow and the NDIA continues to report on the ongoing reviews of the program to create flexibility for participants. The latest news on the introduction of independent assessments is covered by Geoff Hutchinson in his report on page 12. We want you to get the best out of your NDIS plan to access the services you need and choose to receive. Our Customer Engagement team are actively contacting our Customers to assist with service delivery, but if you have any questions regarding your NDIS plan please do not hesitate to contact ndisenquiries@mswa.org.au On a final note, I need to advise that we have made the decision to postpone the 2020 Members’ and Volunteers’ Christmas party until next year. I know that many of you will be disappointed, but this decision has been made with the safety of everyone in mind. Our plan is to hold ‘Christmas in July’ in 2021, when we hope to see COVID-19 under more control across the globe. 7

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