The application process for Parkinson’s NSW to become a Registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Provider is underway and expected to be complete before mid year.
Once this process is complete, we plan to register as a provider of services under My Aged Care as well.
This will enable Parkinson’s NSW to directly provide services to people living with Parkinson’s – as well as to link them with other authorised providers. We can
then bill those services to individual support packages funded by the NDIS (for people with Parkinson’s up to age 65) and My Aged Care (for people over 65).

NDIS Nurse Advocate Margi Edmondson

New team
A new team called PNSW Connect has been established to spearhead this development of new services.
NDIS Nurse Advocate Margi Edmondson guides and supports people living with Parkinson’s who are undertaking the sometimes-frustrating process of applying for the NDIS. She is a nurse and nurse educator with more than 35 years of experience.
Margi is currently working with more than 100 people, accompanying and advocating for them on their NDIS journey. She also liaises with primary and allied health practitioners to ensure the appropriate documents and reports are assembled to support
each application.

Once people are approved for an NDIS support package, experienced Social Worker Melanie Browning steps up to help.

Social worker Melanie Browning

Support Coordination available
Melanie’s role is to provide Support Coordination. She supports and informs approved NDIS applicants so that they can confidently negotiate the supports they need,
then implement their NDIS plans for maximum benefit.
Melanie will also assist approved applicants who are going to their first NDIS Planning meeting, helping them to self-advocate for the supports they need to live the life of their choice.

Information gathered at the first Planning meeting is used by the NDIS to determine the extent of reasonable supports and the amount of funding the person needs to purchase the services they require.

Once a plan is approved Melanie can connect the person with services and supports – either from Parkinson’s NSW or others in the community – according to the individual requirements and choice.
She can also arrange training for carers, families and Support Groups – such as in planning and plan management.
“The NDIS states that your supports must be reasonable and necessary,” said
Melanie. “However, there is a wide variety of support categories available including
personal care, equipment, community inclusion, therapies, mobility assistance, respite for carers, and specialist employment services.

“It’s a long list, but Parkinson’s NSW has more than 40 years of experience in helping people to live well with Parkinson’s – and we have well-established community networks. We are very well-placed to connect people with the services they need while the search for a cure continues.”

For more information on the NDIS and PNSW Connect services, make a free call to the Parkinson’s NSW InfoLine: 1800 644 189.