A MESSAGE FROM THE

A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER – MEMBER SERVICES SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN “Even if you are on the right track you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” Will Rogers I think this saying can be applied to many aspects of our lives, but I thought it’s quite appropriate as we look at MSWA and how we certainly never sit still! I think this is part of the reason for our great success over the years, we continually review what we do and make improvements, and seek out new opportunities. Fortunately, the hard work and success results in significant self-generated funds which then enable us to turn our dreams into reality. In the theme of not staying still, we are very excited to share our plans for new facilities, both leased and being built, over the next three to four years, (see my summary article on premises update). This will provide us with a great strategic footprint, bringing services closer to our Members and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded non-MS Clients as we gain a presence in the expanding sites. Of course, we are waiting patiently to hear which version of the NDIS will be adopted in WA, however, the delay in the announcement hasn’t meant we have been standing still at all. It’s business as usual for us, and is challenging as we work across two different systems with different funding and reporting models. The whole sector has become increasingly adaptable and change management is part of everyday life! Our busy NDIS team continues to provide information sessions for potential participants and assists them to navigate the process, from registration through to planning. Whichever way the NDIS goes, it is a huge positive for people living with a disability in general, especially for those living with the impact of MS and other neurological conditions. Prior to the NDIS, access to funding was limited to block funded programs, with restrictions on the amount of funds available, and limited access to individual funding due to the demand far exceeding the funds available. The plans are renewed annually, so as needs change, the funding can grow to support the individual. That’s a huge difference! As part of our evolution we have recently replaced our Members’ database. The new Microsoft platform brings us up to date and has greater functionality for providing reports. We are also having a rostering app developed for greater mobile connectivity with our support workers, improving staff placements and replacement shifts for sick and planned leave. Technology is a wonderful tool and the capabilities are endless! This year, as everyone will say, has flown by! I honestly don’t know where the years and months go. Seems like yesterday I joined MSWA – but it will be 15 years in January! ‘My kids’ as I fondly refer to them, are now young adults and have careers and now children of their own. I feel like a very proud mother and nanna. I feel privileged to work for such a great organisation, with such dedicated, professional and caring staff. I am really pleased we are continuing to provide sizeable research funding in WA, nationally and internationally, supporting not only the MS research efforts, but also for Stroke and other neurological conditions. At the recent MSRA Conference, updates on two MSWA funded projects were presented along with a poster. The extent of the MS research efforts is truly amazing. Using funds allocated for specified conditions by our event participants, MSWA is now also providing much needed equipment for local hospitals, which continues to be enthusiastically welcomed by staff. This year has seen another therapy come to market, Ocrelizumab, and more are on the way! As the year comes to a close we all look forward to a little break over the festive season, knowing we will be back in the saddle and gearing up for more excitement in 2018. I hope you, and your family and friends, have a safe and happy festive season, keep well and cool as I think we are in for a hot summer! Please remember our Member Services staff are here to provide you with information and support. You can make contact through our main switch on 9365 4888 or by emailing us at Get-in-touch@mswa.org.au 6 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017

GROWING OUR LOCATIONS, AN UPDATE SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN As mentioned previously, MSWA has some great expansion plans designed to bring us closer to our Members and grow our services and sites to better meet the needs of our Members and NDIS Clients. Some you may have already heard about, like our plans for Butler, Albany and Shenton Park high support accommodation, others may be new to you, but in summary: Joondalup – fitout is complete on our leased premises, replacing the Wangara office which we outgrew. This new premise on Joondalup Drive has a gym, bigger massage area and three consulting rooms, and offices for staff seeing people locally. Great location, and the larger venue will benefit all, especially as we await the completion of Butler. Butler – the tender has been completed and our selected builder is preparing to start work on our new services hub and co-located high support accommodation facility. The plans look great and the hub will be slightly bigger than our Bunbury premises but just as spectacular! Next door will be 10 one-bedroom high care accommodation units which look amazing on the drawings. Mandurah – we have sourced a leased premise in Magenta Terrace, to provide us with a real presence in this area. Until now, Members have either accessed our Rockingham base or at-home appointments. This venue will have a gym and massage area as well as offices and consulting rooms. Albany – we are currently exploring potential sites to build our high support accommodation facility as well as hopefully, a services hub in the future. Busselton – we have identified a potential site for lease where we can co-locate our local services including a physio gym, massage area, consulting rooms and offices. This will bring the teams together whilst providing a great services hub for both Members and WA NDIS Clients locally. Wilson refurb – we are also very excited to announce the Board have approved an internal refurb for the Member services hub. We will be growing the number of desks available for our expanding teams, extending the physio gym, growing the massage area and providing an additional consulting room. This is really welcomed as this much-loved base is looking a bit tired and the gym is a bit tight. In 2018, we will announce further plans to grow our locations. MSWA is very fortunate to be in a position where we can expand our locations to better meet the growing demand, especially under the NDIS. We will send out confirmation of addresses and phone numbers for Members in the surrounding areas when we have actual opening dates. Some of this will occur during the time of writing and the Bulletin hitting your mail box! PROFESSOR BILL CARROLL APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF NEUROLOGY MSWA is proud to share the news that our long-standing Board Director, Professor Bill Carroll, has been appointed President of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) during the XXIII World Congress of Neurology in Japan. It’s fantastic to have a Western Australian Neurologist awarded the highest honour in his field and continue to foster quality in neurology worldwide. Currently, Professor Carroll is Chair of the MS Research Australia International Review Board, and a member of the International Progressive MS Alliance Scientific Steering Committee. In 2012, he was awarded the West Australian of the Year (Business and Professions) in recognition of his work in multiple sclerosis (MS) research. This recent appointment reflects his dedication to MS and other neurological research, with the common goal of finding a cause and a cure. MSWA appoints prominent leaders who are passionate about the success of our Members and Clients, and the combined knowledge and experience of the Board helps to guide the organisation’s strategic direction. We are lucky to have his support! Congratulations Professor Carroll, we wish you a successful tenure as President of the WFN from 1 January 2018. MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017 | 7