Frequently asked questions
Please find below frequently asked questions relating to the following topics:
Application process
What forms should I complete?
For self-care & mobility equipment: Enrolment/referral form and the stock equipment request form (these will be emailed to you following a phone consultation)
Home modifications: Enrolment/referral form and the relevant home modifications form (these will be emailed to you following a phone consultation)
If the patient is unable to physically sign the enrolment/referral form, what are the options?
A signature from the person’s representative will be sufficient. Please make note of this on the form.
I know what equipment I need for safe discharge and I am familiar with the stock equipment process. Should I still speak to the Senior Project Officer, Greg Foreman in the first instance?
We would prefer to speak with the prescriber first. Where possible we are trying to avoid prescribers completing forms unnecessarily. In the event you have used the pathway once and you have the enrolment form saved on your desktop, please do not re-use for another person or share the form with your colleagues.
Do I need to complete the EnableNSW application form for this pathway?
No, the EnableNSW application form is used to determine the eligibility for EnableNSW programs and services only.
As a general guideline, people who are eligible for the NDIS do not meet the eligibility criteria for EnableNSW, with the exception of certain health related supports.
Is a co-payment required for accessing this pathway?
No, a co-payment is not required.
Discharge destination
Can I access this pathway if the patient does not have a confirmed discharge destination?
We cannot deliver equipment or install home modifications if a discharge destination is not known. You can start the application process, however delivery/installation will not be scheduled until we receive confirmation of the address in the community.
The patient needs to discharge to a residential aged care facility (RACF) for a short period, can I use this pathway?
We would expect a RACF to provide the necessary equipment to allow a person to safely manage their condition.
In the exceptional case where a person under 65 is being discharged to a RACF and needs specific equipment that the facility cannot provide, please speak to Greg to discuss the situation.
Equipment options
If the patient requires equipment for a temporary condition such as a broken leg, can I apply through this pathway?
This pathway does not support the loan of items for temporary conditions. Please speak to Greg to discuss the person’s individual circumstances.
Will this pathway consider custom items for safe hospital discharge?
It is important to remember the goal of this pathway is to support a quick turnaround for safe hospital discharge. With this goal in mind, custom items may not be the best option.
If you have an exceptional case where the items available in stock cannot support short-term needs for a safe discharge, speak to Greg about any options available to you.
Is there a limit to the equipment I can request for my patient?
No, there is no limit and each person will require different types of equipment. The goal of this pathway is to ensure you are prescribing equipment that is essential for safe discharge and the person can safely use it for up to six months to manage their condition at home.
Will this pathway cover communication devices?
The aim of this pathway is to provide self-care and mobility equipment, as well as minor/temporary home modifications to facilitate safe discharge from hospital.
If there is an exceptional circumstance where a communication device is holding up discharge, please speak to Greg about the situation.
If the hospital equipment loan pool (ELP) has the right equipment to help the patient safely discharge, what are my options?
Speak with Greg about the options available to you. There are different processes in place if the equipment is needed short term versus equipment that is needed long term.
It is important to know this NDIS hospital discharge pathway is not intended to replace existing pathways. If your ELP has the right equipment, you should use the ELP.
Loan period
How long is the loan period for?
The loan period is for up to six months. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) believes this is sufficient time to ensure the person has their long term equipment in place and long term home modifications considered.
If the equipment is required for a longer period, call and speak to Greg.
During the loan period, will the person be able to access repairs through EnableNSW?
Any equipment that is on loan by EnableNSW is eligible for repairs during this period. Please contact the EnableNSW repairs team (1800 362 253 – option 2) to organise this.
The NDIA is responsible for all equipment repairs outside the loan period.
If the equipment loaned to the patient does not suit them once they have been discharged, can I swap it for another stock item?
Generally we would expect the equipment you prescribe should meet the person’s needs for up to six months.
In the exceptional circumstance the equipment no longer suits the person when they discharge home, you should call and speak to Greg.
Where is the loan equipment returned to and who is responsible for this?
The equipment should be returned to our equipment centre. This can be done by calling 1800 362 253 (option 5). We would usually expect the person or their carer to contact us.
It is important to know minor or temporary home modifications cannot be returned.
Does EnableNSW hire equipment?
It is important to know EnableNSW does not ‘hire’ equipment, like a commercial supplier would. For this pathway, EnableNSW is loaning equipment for a short term and the person should return the equipment on or before the six months.
The NDIA is responsible for the costs associated with this loan, and these arrangements are being managed by EnableNSW and the NDIA.
The equipment in place may suit the patient for the long term. Can the equipment stay in place?
If the equipment is clinically appropriate for the person long term, please ensure the enrolment/referral form reflects this. We will work with the NDIA directly to manage the transfer of funds.
It is important to remember any repairs and maintenance expenses for the equipment kept in place long term, should be included in the person’s NDIS plan.
Will this pathway be in place post COVID-19?
We understand the issue of people unable to discharge from hospital within a timely manner, is not unique to COVID-19. The COVID-19 situation has brought a unique opportunity to collaborate with the NDIA with a shared goal of freeing up hospital beds and valuable resources for Local Health Districts (LHDs) during this health crisis.
At this stage this pathway exists to support NDIS eligible people during COVID-19. If this changes, we will let you know and all updates will be available on this page.
Delivery Timeframes
What is the delivery time for equipment?
Our aim is to deliver stock equipment in 3-5 working days. Home modification timeframes will vary. You should speak to the home modifications advisor managing this pathway if you need a specific timeframe.
It is important to remember there are many factors that can affect the timeframes including, availability of equipment in stock, type of equipment requested, supplier availability etc.
If the request is urgent, we will try our best to work on the most creative ways to help the person leave hospital sooner.
Equipment from stock is not available statewide, how can you assist me if I work in a rural hospital?
Some items such as pressure cushions and slings can be sent via a courier service. For all other items, we have the right measures in place to support your requests.
If you have not prescribed stock equipment previously, it is recommended that you read the information on this page.
Other pathways available
The patient is under 65 with a newly acquired disability – should I apply through this NDIS discharge pathway or the EnableNSW Specialised Equipment Essential for Discharge (SEED)?
The SEED program remains available to support discharge for people of any age, including people who are eligible for the NDIS. There is specific eligibility and funding criteria that must be met to access funding through SEED. If you know the person meets the SEED criteria, you should apply for equipment through the SEED program.
It is important to know the NDIS hospital discharge pathway is only temporary during COVID-19.
This table highlights the main difference:
| SEED Program: | NDIS Hospital Discharge Pathway: |
|---|---|
Can still provide equipment which may be retained by the person for the long term | Only provides short term loan equipment up to 6 months. It should be safe but may not be suitable for the longer term |
Open to patients with spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury in a specialist unit regardless of age or NDIS eligibility | Open to any patients anywhere in a public hospital in NSW regardless of diagnosis AND who are likely to be or are NDIS eligible |
May not have a referral / handover link to the NDIA | Includes a section to refer to the NDIA for longer term needs and assessment |
Does not cover home modifications | Covers minor and temporary home modifications to support hospital discharge |
The patient is not eligible for the NDIS, what are my options?
If the person needs equipment or home modifications to safely discharge from hospital, there are three current pathways:
- The person may be eligible for assistance from EnableNSW. You can check this using the eligibility indicator on the EnableNSW website
- Applications for aids and equipment can be made through the COEC pathway for anyone who does not meet the EnableNSW eligibility criteria and has exhausted other funding options
- Applications for home modifications can be made through the EnableNSW SASH Home Modification Program
What is the difference between home modifications under this pathway and the SASH home modifications program?
The EnableNSW SASH Home Modifications program may be available to people who are 64 years old or under and have been declined by the NDIA.
The NDIS discharge pathway may be able to assist if there is a potential delay in hospital discharge due to access issues to NDIA funding, for people with an NDIS plan or who are eligible for the NDIS. This may include temporary or minor modifications.
NDIS confirmed participants
Does the NDIS participant need to have money in their plan including a list of the specific equipment they need for discharge?
No, the objective of this pathway is to help people safely leave hospital. The information you provide on the enrolment/referral form will be given to the NDIA to begin the long term planning process, including sufficient funds to cover equipment and home modification needs.
It is also important to remember this pathway is also open to people with a newly acquired disability who not have started the application process to the NDIS.
The patient has an active plan in place, however the plan has insufficient funds in place. What are my options?
This pathway is not intended to replace existing pathways or escalation processes. This issue should be escalated to your LHD NDIS transition lead (contact MOH-NDIS@health.nsw.gov.au).
The patient has an active plan in place and the equipment has been ordered, however there is a significant wait time for the equipment to arrive. What are my options?
There are many reasons why equipment might take a significant time to arrive, including supply chain issues, custom items and back-order issues.
If this is the case, we encourage you to consider this NDIS hospital discharge pathway as there may be some short term loan equipment options that could allow the person to safely manage their condition at home for a short period, while waiting for their long term equipment to arrive.