The Community Transport Service Type Review will examine community transport services funded under the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program, the Community Transport Program and the Area Assistance Scheme. The primary aim of the Review is the development of Community Transport Service Type Guidelines including good practice principles.

NCOSS Report: NCOSS attended the National HACC Forum alongside three hundred invited delegates in Melbourne on 21 and 22 February 2008. This download is a summary of the highlights of the Forum.

Policy Position, April 2007

Supplementary Questions to the Inquiry.

NCOSS Submission: The NSW Parliament conducted an Inquiry into HACC and Home Care during 2006. NCOSS has prepared an initial submission to respond to the terms of reference in July. At the Inquiry hearings in September, NCOSS was given a number of questions on notice. In October, a supplementary submission was prepared to respond to these additional items. The submissions comment on Commonwealth/State relations, the adequacy of the HACC program and the method and timing of planning and funds distribution. There are also comments on the adequacy and coverage of the NSW Home Care Service.

NCOSS response: Following a 2005 review of the Home Modifications and Maintenance service type under the Home Community Care program, DADHC has contracted KPMG to prepare a discussion paper on new models for service provision. NCOSS has responded to the Paper with general and specific comments and has identified a preferred model. DADHC discussion paper: plan.arch.usyd.edu.au (http://plan.arch.usyd.edu.au/hmm/hmm_web/default.cfm)

NCOSS submission: As part of its annual HACC planning process, DADHC invited interested stakeholders to provide written submissions on Statewide issues of concern for frail older people, people with disabilities and their carers to inform strategic directions for the 2006-07 NSW HACC Program. In preparation for this submission, NCOSS met with a range of peak and Statewide bodies to consult on important issues for consumers and the sector. This submission lists these and other issues and includes a list of ideas and initiatives for non-recurrent allocations which could benefit the provision of HACC in NSW.

Under its broad reform agenda for community care programs, the Commonwealth Department of Health Ageing is currently investigating ways to improve assessment and the management of eligibility for community care recipients. NCOSS has developed policy responses to the consultation papers but remains concerned that HACC service providers have not been directly included in the consultation processes.

The first in a series of policy papers, published in May 2002. It contains guiding principles and recommendations for government and service providers under a range of topics including: 1. Autonomy and self-determination; 2. Aboriginal representation within the system; 3. needs and assessment; 4. service development co-ordination and training. The Gathering Committee believes that these contributed some positive outcomes in some areas. The Committee is currently developing the next paper in the series which, while updating the previous, will also include topics such as planning, management and transport.