Question - Disability services

1. What is the total budget for occupational therapy (OT) for those living with a disability.
2. Does a person living with a disability need to have an OT assessment to get a licence; if so, what is the budget for OT driving assessments for those living with a disability.
3. How many OT assessment organisations and personnel are there to meet demand in the ACT.
4. Is the Driver Assessment and Rehabilitation Service (DARS) a provider of driving assessments for people with a disability; if so, (a) what is the funding for the DARS, (b) what is the wait time timeline for a response from the DARS and (c) is there regulation about the timeline for an assessment.
5. What is the process for tendering to provide services such as OT driver assessments and driver training for those living with a disability.

The response to the Member’s question contains input from across the ACT Government as OT-related activities are undertaken by various directorates and non-government organisations.

(1) The total budget for OT support in the ACT cannot be determined as OTs are employed in a number of government and non-government organisations who deliver services to those with a disability as well as the broader population. Within the ACT Government, funding streams are not specific to people with disability, as OT-related activities are provided based on an individual’s needs.

(2) The need for a person living with a disability to have an OT assessment – to apply for or retain a driver’s licence – depends on their condition and the impact on their ability to drive. The medical standards set out in Assessing Fitness to Drive (guidelines used nationally to assess medical fitness) indicate which conditions are recommended to have an OT assessment. In addition, a medical practitioner (General Practitioner, specialist or doctor at the Fitness to Drive Medical Clinic) may recommend an OT assessment. The amount received by Access Canberra for OT assessments is $326,000.

(3) The number of organisations and personnel delivering OT support across the ACT and the level of demand across these services cannot be determined as these services are delivered by a range of government and non-government organisations. The ACT Government does not fund nor have oversight of all OT activities across the ACT. 

(4) Yes.

(a) The $326,000 received by Access Canberra provides for services invoiced through both DARS and Driving and Occupational Therapy Solutions (DOTS).

CHS is funded for DARS for one full-time equivalent Driver Assessor Trained Occupational Therapist. Costs for this service are partially recovered through CHS invoicing Access Canberra based on the ACT Health (Fees) Determination. 

(b) The average wait time for an OT assessment with DOTS is two months, with urgent assessments arranged more quickly on an individual needs basis. 

CHS finds the wait time from DARS to be 6 months for non-urgent referrals. DARS has a priority system to determine the urgency of referrals, and those in the circumstances below are generally seen within two weeks:

(i) The person is employed as a driver and their job is in jeopardy

(ii) The person is socially isolated and has a lack of alternative transport

(iii) The person is the sole driver in a household with others dependent on them for transport

(iv) The person will be imminently returning to work and is required to drive.

(c) No, there is no regulated timeline for an assessment.

(5) The procurement of OT services is undertaken in accordance with the Government Procurement Act 2001.