Pilot partnership proving positive for Charlestown residents

Charlestown residents are the first to benefit from a pilot partnership bringing Medicare and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services together.

Minister for Human Services Senator the Hon Marise Payne and Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield today visited the site at Hilltop Plaza to officially open the co-located service.

“This partnership is a great example of how we are bringing more government services together for the convenience of the community,” Minister Payne said.

“Medicare services began operating from the NDIS office at Hilltop Plaza on 1 December and over the past six weeks staff have seen an increasing number of customers taking advantage of both the Medicare and NDIS services in the one visit.

“We expect to see this interaction continue to increase as residents become more familiar with the service offer.”

Minister Fifield said the Charlestown Hilltop Plaza NDIS site commenced operations in July 2013.

“By September 2014, this office had helped about 3100 Hunter residents to access the NDIS.”

“Of these, 2650 now have individualised support plans in place to enable them to engage in education, employment and their community, increase their independence, and access equipment to help them participate in every day life.

“The addition of Medicare to this location will not only offer convenience for Scheme participants but also staff from both agencies can exchange knowledge that allows them to better serve the community,” Minister Fifield said.

“This is the first time the National Disability Insurance Agency has co-located with another Federal Government service and the Agency will be looking closely at the lessons that can be learnt in preparation for full rollout of the Scheme.”