NIST is a small team made up of Social Workers and an Occupational Therapist who provide support to Northern Health staff who are working with inpatients who interface with the NDIS.
NIST supports the treating team to progress a patient through the NDIS pathway. NIST mentors and provides practical support to the Social work, Occupational therapy and other hospital professionals to navigate the complex NDIS pathway. This support can include recommending correct forms, reviewing reports, advise re: next steps in the NDIS pathway, advocate for patients needs directly with the NDIS Hospital Liaison Officer.
NIST have a dedicated SW on the rehabilitation unit supporting NDIS patients. NIST can assist patients requiring disability accommodation post their hospital stay through their transitional disability program.
What to expect from the service?
The program is designed for inpatients who need NDIS supports. Or the treating team has assessed that an increase in NDIS supports is required for a safe discharge.
NIST puts in processes to enable the health service to communicate, with the patients consent, directly to NDIS.
NIST provides mentoring and education to the teams on the wards in the specialist area of NDIS. This means that patients and their families and carers can obtain the support required to navigate this complex service system.
Unfortunately, we are not able to respond to requests for extra evidence for patients in the community. If you require support for this you are best to contact your Local Area Co Ordinator (LAC), speak with your GP or existing NDIS participants who have a support coordinator can speak with them for direction.