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Inquiry reviews crisis in supported accommodationNew ideas are desperately needed to deal with the crisis in supported accommodation for vulnerable Victorians suffering disability or mental illness, and an Opposition initiated parliamentary review is now seeking public input. By Kevin Balshaw - 14th August 2008 - Back to News New ideas are desperately needed to deal with the crisis in supported accommodation for vulnerable Victorians, the Member for Eastern Victoria, Philip Davis, said today.
A parliamentary committee inquiry, set up at the initiative of the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition to review supported accommodation for Victorians with a disability or mental illness, is now calling for public submissions.
"This is a really important opportunity for people to have their say," Mr Davis said.
"We know that right now the system is failing some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
"With input from individuals, families and groups we can fix the Labor Government’s broken system.
Victoria has 1358 people on the waiting list for disability accommodation, but a recent report from the Auditor-General revealed no new supported accommodation beds have been provided for people with a disability for five years. The lack of beds has led to an increase in average waiting times of more than four years.
"Victorians with a mental illness are also not getting access to the accommodation they need," Mr Davis said.
"The Community Visitors, the independent accommodation watchdog, has been warning for eight years there is a shortage of beds and community accommodation for people with a mental illness.
"This has ramifications throughout the mental health system given 46% of hospital mental health beds are blocked because of the shortage of discharge options.
"The Brumby Government’s system of supported accommodation for the most vulnerable Victorians is in crisis.
"We have a responsibility to act now with new ideas to make sure Victorians with a disability or mental illness get the care and support they need and deserve."
Mr Davis urged individuals, families and community groups to have their say and to help the Coalition fix the Brumby Government’s broken record on supported accommodation.
Details on how to make a submission are available at the web site: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc/ ... or from Mr Davis’ electorate office in Sale.
The review will look at:
• The current number of supported accommodation places and which areas need more beds;
• The quality of care being provided;
• The toll that the lack of accommodation options is taking on families;
• How to address the lack of accommodation options in country areas such as Gippsland;
• Whether services are catering for the needs of multicultural communities; and
• New ideas to fix the supported accommodation system for the future.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: kevin.balshaw@parliament.vic.gov.au
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