Watagan Centre

WATAGAN CENTRE FORMER RESIDENTS

The Hon. PATRICIA FORSYTHE: In relation to funding for the support of former Watagan Centre residents did the Minister for Community Services, Minister for Aged Services, and Minister for Disability Services last week tell the media that they would always receive the level of funding necessary to support their needs? Did he also tell the media:

Naturally as the level of support they require lessens, the funding necessary to maintain them in their group homes can be reduced accordingly.


What assessment process was carried out to determine the level of revised funding to support these people? Is it a fact that no new assessment was carried out, and that service providers merely received a "Dear Provider" letter?

The Hon. R. D. DYER: As I have said before in this House, a proud achievement of the Government is the devolution of the Watagan residents to group homes in the community. I was the first member of Parliament to ever bother to visit the former Watagan Centre, which was earlier known as Carynia Oaks, and I described it as a valley of the lost souls. I was shocked and dismayed at what I discovered when I visited with my colleague the honourable member for Lake Macquarie, Mr Jeff Hunter. I made a promise to myself then that if I ever had the opportunity, I would remove residents from that place. One of the first things I did as Minister was to honour that commitment.

I am pleased that the Treasurer helped to achieve that objective by funding the necessary 80 places to relocate those people in the community. The Treasurer informs me that today he has given me more money. I am not sure what for, but I assure the House that whatever the Treasurer gives me will be gratefully accepted and very well spent. Thank you, Treasurer. I move on to what is happening with the Watagan Centre residents. When they moved out from Watagan to group homes in the community they were assisted at considerable public expense - more than might ordinarily be the case - given the extreme levels of disabilities and low levels of functioning occasioned by the many years they had spent at the Watagan Centre with practically no day programs, therapy or anything else.

In relocating the residents I was assisted in particular by the Hunter Mission, which did an excellent job, and by the Ageing and Disability Department. That department prepared individual service plans that were fashioned to suit the individual needs of each resident relocated from the Watagan Centre to group homes in the community. I not only said to the media but probably said in the House as well in response to an earlier question, that some of these 80 people are functioning at a greatly improved level, to such an extent that some no longer require permanent supported accommodation from the Government. Some who are living in ordinary homes in the community are receiving drop-in assistance. I have endeavoured to ensure that residents continue to receive the support they require.

On 21 November 1995 I gave a guarantee that when residents move from large residential establishments into the community, they will receive the level of care and support they need. All consumers have received that guarantee; the Government has been honouring that guarantee and will continue to honour it. It remains the case that funding for these people is monitored. I do not particularly care whether the Hon. Patricia Forsythe believes that, but these people have individual service plans and are provided with funding packages commensurate with their individual needs - full stop. Page 11102

WATAGAN CENTRE FORMER RESIDENTS

The Hon. PATRICIA FORSYTHE: I ask a supplementary question. Is the Minister currently reviewing and reducing the amount of money available to services providing accommodation and support to former residents of the Watagan Centre? Is he putting at risk the progress of those people? Can he guarantee that the programs aimed at improving the integration of those people into the community will not be cut?

The Hon. R. D. DYER: I will always ensure, and this Government will always ensure, that adequate resources are made available to care for people with disabilities who are in permanent supported accommodation places, including former residents of the Watagan Centre. It is true to say, though, that as time passes and as the level of functioning of certain clients increases, the support levels previously warranted can in some cases be reduced. That is a matter of individual judgment regarding particular clients.