Accessing physiotherapy services through the NDIS

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has enabled many people living with stroke to access physiotherapy more easily, which can improve their mobility and ability to participate in physical activity. For many, this may be their first time exercising since leaving hospital.

What is the scheme?

The NDIS aims to get people with disability who are under 65 years old to participate in their communities and achieving their own personal goals. For those qualifying in this scheme, the NDIS can provide ongoing support as required. This includes participating in various exercises where neurological physiotherapists as movement experts, can play a vital role to enable individuals to participate in a safe, structured and sustainable program in the community.

How do I get involved?

To access the NDIS, you can first check your eligibility through the NDIS website (here), prior to applying; which you do by completing an ‘access request’ form (downloadable from here). If online isn’t for you, you can also phone 1800 800 110 or visit your local NDIS office to obtain more information as well as to answer any of your questions regarding to the scheme.

When you’re ready to apply, you can complete the access request over the phone, in person or through completing a paper form to be posted to the local NDIS office.

Once your access request has been approved, you can then develop an NDIS plan based around your personal goals, and develop strategies to achieve these goals with your NDIS planner. Physiotherapy support can then be included as part of your Improved Daily Living (IDL) strategy to assist you in optimising your physical function pertaining to your overall goal.

How can I access physiotherapy services through the NDIS?

You can have different options in managing your NDIS plan, with varying degrees of administration and control involved. Between yourself and your NDIS planner, you can work out the best option for you to suit your individual circumstance as well as the service providers to be involved in achieving your goals.

To find a neurological physiotherapist near you, reach out to the APA at info@australian.physio.

How can physiotherapy help me?

The keys to a successful physiotherapy program are often related to its intensity and sustainability in the long term. It can be more effective if you as an NDIS participant can work collaboratively with your physiotherapist to create a feasible and an individualised program in the long run.

The environment where the physiotherapy program takes place should be carefully considered when planning a program. It should be accessible, affordable, and have appropriate environmental factors such as good lighting and comfortable temperature, as well as having suitable equipment individualised to your personal requirements. In addition, the sessions with a physiotherapist should ideally take place in an environment which will make it easy for you to complete the recommended activities independently. A qualified allied health assistant directly supported by your treating physiotherapist can also be added in your NDIS plan to maximise the hours within your funding, provided you regularly check in with your physiotherapist.

Other disciplines – such as psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and dieticians- should also be included when appropriate to complement this strategy to maximise your motivation, mental and physical well-being.

Assistive technology or equipment should also be considered if applicable to achieve the common goal. A physiotherapist can help identify appropriate orthotic support, footwear, functional hand splint and gait aid that can maximise your participation. Please ensure that all the additional support and aids to be identified early during plan development and be added in as strategies. Your physiotherapist can also support you in writing some of the assistive technology applications if required, or refer you to other suitable providers if required.

Once you are independent with the program by your physiotherapist, the ongoing reviews with the physiotherapist can still be helpful to promote accountability, and offer you some opportunities to modify programs, especially when there is a change in your ability such as strength and endurance. These reviews may also facilitate another block of intensive therapy with your physiotherapist if required to prevent deterioration, or for new skill acquisition. The treating physiotherapist can then complete a written therapy summary based on these reviews to assist you in identifying new goals, and make recommendations to assist you and your NDIS planner in devising a new annual NDIS plan.

Information provided by APA member Zhao Lin Teoh, Rocky Bay Senior Physiotherapist.

Rocky Bay is a leading provider of disability services in Western Australia.