Hospital cancels chemo treatment due to leaks SafeWork inspection failed to flag
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed.
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed.
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed.
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
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A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be."
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5 days ago
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Children as young as four in the Hunter Region are missing out on early intervention due to NDIS cuts, Newcastle psychologist Jacqui Smith says. Ms Smith, director of Clarity Psychology at Charlestown, said NDIS cuts were "hurting people of all ages". "I'm feeling incredibly disheartened," Ms Smith said. "We just want to help people. They are making it impossible." The Treasury has estimated that the NDIS will rise from $51 billion this financial year to $63 billion by 2028-29. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) disputes the word "cuts" being used to describe NDIS changes. "Reforms are moderating cost growth, and the scheme is on track to meet the national cabinet's annual growth target of 8 per cent by July 2026," a spokesperson said. While reducing NDIS costs, the Albanese government aims to introduce "foundational supports" for children with autism and developmental difficulties in schools and childcare centres. These supports were planned to begin on Tuesday under a deadline set by former NDIS minister Bill Shorten. NDIS Minister Mark Butler said "negotiations on foundational supports with the states are ongoing and we are working to finalise them as soon as possible". "The first work on foundational supports is children under nine with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism," Mr Butler said. The second group involved people with "ongoing, usually quite severe, psychosocial disability who are not getting any support right now". Ms Smith said her clinic had "written comprehensive reports for children detailing behaviours of concern and strategies to support them". "We've had NDIS planners say they don't really have behaviours of concern. So they've taken away behaviour support funding," she said. "We might have a child or somebody who needs emotional regulation skills training, for example. "The comment from the NDIS will be that the client's occupational therapist can do that. We've had occupational therapists contacting us for guidance." Ms Smith, a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists, said this amounted to "early intervention" services being cut. "A child who's eight, for example, might be emotionally distressed and having trouble managing their impulses. "You then see children acting out in class and having meltdowns and not forming healthy relationships." Ms Smith said she had "for many years now diagnosed adults [with autism and/or ADHD] because it wasn't picked up when they were young". The latest figures show 12,468 people on the NDIS for autism in Hunter New England in the third quarter of 2024-25. This rose from 10,991 in the fourth quarter of the previous year. The average six-monthly NDIS payments in the district include: $18,106 (autism), $55,339 (intellectual disability) and $47,625 (psychosocial disability). Ms Smith said NDIS restrictions were also affecting people with a psychosocial disability. "They might have a severe and chronic mental illness that impacts their function," she said. "Where there's anything to do with mental health, the NDIS will say they can go and get a mental health care plan from their doctor," she said. "Those plans provide rebates for 10 sessions. The rebates are too low for us to afford to bulk-bill." People with physical and intellectual disability, such as cerebral palsy, were also affected by NDIS delays. "It's taken three years of reporting and reviews to get a client fully funded for supported living," Ms Smith said. "This is somebody with quite a severe level of disability. The person's ageing mum couldn't continue to care for them." She added that some NDIS planners who made the funding decisions "don't appear to have any clinical training or disability background". The NDIA spokesperson said "the agency has significantly reduced wait times for participants over the past year". "All staff receive intensive and ongoing training in disability and decision-making under the NDIS Act. "The NDIA has a highly dedicated workforce, with 22 per cent of staff identifying as having a disability. "The agency has invested in the recruitment of an additional 1300 frontline staff in the last financial year." Children as young as four in the Hunter Region are missing out on early intervention due to NDIS cuts, Newcastle psychologist Jacqui Smith says. Ms Smith, director of Clarity Psychology at Charlestown, said NDIS cuts were "hurting people of all ages". "I'm feeling incredibly disheartened," Ms Smith said. "We just want to help people. They are making it impossible." The Treasury has estimated that the NDIS will rise from $51 billion this financial year to $63 billion by 2028-29. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) disputes the word "cuts" being used to describe NDIS changes. "Reforms are moderating cost growth, and the scheme is on track to meet the national cabinet's annual growth target of 8 per cent by July 2026," a spokesperson said. While reducing NDIS costs, the Albanese government aims to introduce "foundational supports" for children with autism and developmental difficulties in schools and childcare centres. These supports were planned to begin on Tuesday under a deadline set by former NDIS minister Bill Shorten. NDIS Minister Mark Butler said "negotiations on foundational supports with the states are ongoing and we are working to finalise them as soon as possible". "The first work on foundational supports is children under nine with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism," Mr Butler said. The second group involved people with "ongoing, usually quite severe, psychosocial disability who are not getting any support right now". Ms Smith said her clinic had "written comprehensive reports for children detailing behaviours of concern and strategies to support them". "We've had NDIS planners say they don't really have behaviours of concern. So they've taken away behaviour support funding," she said. "We might have a child or somebody who needs emotional regulation skills training, for example. "The comment from the NDIS will be that the client's occupational therapist can do that. We've had occupational therapists contacting us for guidance." Ms Smith, a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists, said this amounted to "early intervention" services being cut. "A child who's eight, for example, might be emotionally distressed and having trouble managing their impulses. "You then see children acting out in class and having meltdowns and not forming healthy relationships." Ms Smith said she had "for many years now diagnosed adults [with autism and/or ADHD] because it wasn't picked up when they were young". The latest figures show 12,468 people on the NDIS for autism in Hunter New England in the third quarter of 2024-25. This rose from 10,991 in the fourth quarter of the previous year. The average six-monthly NDIS payments in the district include: $18,106 (autism), $55,339 (intellectual disability) and $47,625 (psychosocial disability). Ms Smith said NDIS restrictions were also affecting people with a psychosocial disability. "They might have a severe and chronic mental illness that impacts their function," she said. "Where there's anything to do with mental health, the NDIS will say they can go and get a mental health care plan from their doctor," she said. "Those plans provide rebates for 10 sessions. The rebates are too low for us to afford to bulk-bill." People with physical and intellectual disability, such as cerebral palsy, were also affected by NDIS delays. "It's taken three years of reporting and reviews to get a client fully funded for supported living," Ms Smith said. "This is somebody with quite a severe level of disability. The person's ageing mum couldn't continue to care for them." She added that some NDIS planners who made the funding decisions "don't appear to have any clinical training or disability background". The NDIA spokesperson said "the agency has significantly reduced wait times for participants over the past year". "All staff receive intensive and ongoing training in disability and decision-making under the NDIS Act. "The NDIA has a highly dedicated workforce, with 22 per cent of staff identifying as having a disability. "The agency has invested in the recruitment of an additional 1300 frontline staff in the last financial year." Children as young as four in the Hunter Region are missing out on early intervention due to NDIS cuts, Newcastle psychologist Jacqui Smith says. Ms Smith, director of Clarity Psychology at Charlestown, said NDIS cuts were "hurting people of all ages". "I'm feeling incredibly disheartened," Ms Smith said. "We just want to help people. They are making it impossible." The Treasury has estimated that the NDIS will rise from $51 billion this financial year to $63 billion by 2028-29. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) disputes the word "cuts" being used to describe NDIS changes. "Reforms are moderating cost growth, and the scheme is on track to meet the national cabinet's annual growth target of 8 per cent by July 2026," a spokesperson said. While reducing NDIS costs, the Albanese government aims to introduce "foundational supports" for children with autism and developmental difficulties in schools and childcare centres. These supports were planned to begin on Tuesday under a deadline set by former NDIS minister Bill Shorten. NDIS Minister Mark Butler said "negotiations on foundational supports with the states are ongoing and we are working to finalise them as soon as possible". "The first work on foundational supports is children under nine with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism," Mr Butler said. The second group involved people with "ongoing, usually quite severe, psychosocial disability who are not getting any support right now". Ms Smith said her clinic had "written comprehensive reports for children detailing behaviours of concern and strategies to support them". "We've had NDIS planners say they don't really have behaviours of concern. So they've taken away behaviour support funding," she said. "We might have a child or somebody who needs emotional regulation skills training, for example. "The comment from the NDIS will be that the client's occupational therapist can do that. We've had occupational therapists contacting us for guidance." Ms Smith, a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists, said this amounted to "early intervention" services being cut. "A child who's eight, for example, might be emotionally distressed and having trouble managing their impulses. "You then see children acting out in class and having meltdowns and not forming healthy relationships." Ms Smith said she had "for many years now diagnosed adults [with autism and/or ADHD] because it wasn't picked up when they were young". The latest figures show 12,468 people on the NDIS for autism in Hunter New England in the third quarter of 2024-25. This rose from 10,991 in the fourth quarter of the previous year. The average six-monthly NDIS payments in the district include: $18,106 (autism), $55,339 (intellectual disability) and $47,625 (psychosocial disability). Ms Smith said NDIS restrictions were also affecting people with a psychosocial disability. "They might have a severe and chronic mental illness that impacts their function," she said. "Where there's anything to do with mental health, the NDIS will say they can go and get a mental health care plan from their doctor," she said. "Those plans provide rebates for 10 sessions. The rebates are too low for us to afford to bulk-bill." People with physical and intellectual disability, such as cerebral palsy, were also affected by NDIS delays. "It's taken three years of reporting and reviews to get a client fully funded for supported living," Ms Smith said. "This is somebody with quite a severe level of disability. The person's ageing mum couldn't continue to care for them." She added that some NDIS planners who made the funding decisions "don't appear to have any clinical training or disability background". The NDIA spokesperson said "the agency has significantly reduced wait times for participants over the past year". "All staff receive intensive and ongoing training in disability and decision-making under the NDIS Act. "The NDIA has a highly dedicated workforce, with 22 per cent of staff identifying as having a disability. "The agency has invested in the recruitment of an additional 1300 frontline staff in the last financial year." Children as young as four in the Hunter Region are missing out on early intervention due to NDIS cuts, Newcastle psychologist Jacqui Smith says. Ms Smith, director of Clarity Psychology at Charlestown, said NDIS cuts were "hurting people of all ages". "I'm feeling incredibly disheartened," Ms Smith said. "We just want to help people. They are making it impossible." The Treasury has estimated that the NDIS will rise from $51 billion this financial year to $63 billion by 2028-29. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) disputes the word "cuts" being used to describe NDIS changes. "Reforms are moderating cost growth, and the scheme is on track to meet the national cabinet's annual growth target of 8 per cent by July 2026," a spokesperson said. While reducing NDIS costs, the Albanese government aims to introduce "foundational supports" for children with autism and developmental difficulties in schools and childcare centres. These supports were planned to begin on Tuesday under a deadline set by former NDIS minister Bill Shorten. NDIS Minister Mark Butler said "negotiations on foundational supports with the states are ongoing and we are working to finalise them as soon as possible". "The first work on foundational supports is children under nine with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism," Mr Butler said. The second group involved people with "ongoing, usually quite severe, psychosocial disability who are not getting any support right now". Ms Smith said her clinic had "written comprehensive reports for children detailing behaviours of concern and strategies to support them". "We've had NDIS planners say they don't really have behaviours of concern. So they've taken away behaviour support funding," she said. "We might have a child or somebody who needs emotional regulation skills training, for example. "The comment from the NDIS will be that the client's occupational therapist can do that. We've had occupational therapists contacting us for guidance." Ms Smith, a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists, said this amounted to "early intervention" services being cut. "A child who's eight, for example, might be emotionally distressed and having trouble managing their impulses. "You then see children acting out in class and having meltdowns and not forming healthy relationships." Ms Smith said she had "for many years now diagnosed adults [with autism and/or ADHD] because it wasn't picked up when they were young". The latest figures show 12,468 people on the NDIS for autism in Hunter New England in the third quarter of 2024-25. This rose from 10,991 in the fourth quarter of the previous year. The average six-monthly NDIS payments in the district include: $18,106 (autism), $55,339 (intellectual disability) and $47,625 (psychosocial disability). Ms Smith said NDIS restrictions were also affecting people with a psychosocial disability. "They might have a severe and chronic mental illness that impacts their function," she said. "Where there's anything to do with mental health, the NDIS will say they can go and get a mental health care plan from their doctor," she said. "Those plans provide rebates for 10 sessions. The rebates are too low for us to afford to bulk-bill." People with physical and intellectual disability, such as cerebral palsy, were also affected by NDIS delays. "It's taken three years of reporting and reviews to get a client fully funded for supported living," Ms Smith said. "This is somebody with quite a severe level of disability. The person's ageing mum couldn't continue to care for them." She added that some NDIS planners who made the funding decisions "don't appear to have any clinical training or disability background". The NDIA spokesperson said "the agency has significantly reduced wait times for participants over the past year". "All staff receive intensive and ongoing training in disability and decision-making under the NDIS Act. "The NDIA has a highly dedicated workforce, with 22 per cent of staff identifying as having a disability. "The agency has invested in the recruitment of an additional 1300 frontline staff in the last financial year."
West Australian
6 days ago
- West Australian
Alan Patching: Toxic workplaces are costing Australian economy millions
Every year thousands of Australians lodge workplace injury claims — not for broken bones but for broken spirits. In 2021-22 there were 11,700 claims for mental health conditions, accounting for more than 9 per cent of all serious workplace injuries. These claims resulted in a median of 34.2 weeks off work at a cost of $58,615 each — four times higher than the median for other types of workplace injuries. A significant proportion of those claims are likely to have stemmed from toxic workplace environments. A toxic workplace is one where employees' mental wellbeing is consistently damaged by destructive behaviours that erode morale and originate from within the organisation. These workplaces are often defined by bullying, harassment, persistent putdowns, lack of support, internal competition, poor teamwork, and leadership driven by fear, favouritism, or excessive control. Any work environment where these traits exist, let alone dominate, is unlikely to support employees' physical or mental health, morale or productivity. That's before you factor in the knock-on effects: reduced motivation, collaboration and communication — and just about every other '-ation' that makes people enjoy their jobs. Interestingly, toxic workplaces might now contravene WorkSafe Australia's recent regulations regarding psychosocial hazards and their impact on workers' mental health. Psychosocial hazards are anything that could cause psychological harm. In other words, anything that could impact someone's mental health by causing stress that could lead to anxiety, depression or a range of other conditions, including but not limited to sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Safe Work Australia identified 14 common workplace psychosocial hazards but others can be identified by individual employers. Even a brief reading of those 14 hazards quickly leads to the conclusion that any workplace that takes psychosocial risk regulations seriously is well on its way to eliminating toxicity. For example, one common psychosocial hazard is giving staff too much work, or too little work, the latter being a typical consequence of a toxic manager's attitude towards a staff member who might have rocked the boat. Violence, bullying, harassment and conflict are other psychosocial hazards, and any of these, let alone a combination, is hardly going to contribute positively to the mental health of those on the receiving end. There are other less attention-getting, but nonetheless corrosive psychosocial hazards, including poor support of workers (especially those under high demand), lack of role and responsibility clarity, and inadequate or inequitable reward and recognition. These are the soul-destroying but often characteristic behaviours of the toxic work environment. The internet is full of well-meaning but often superficial advice on how to deal with workplace toxicity. But tackling the problem is usually much harder than it sounds — at least it was until recently, when new WHS regulations were introduced to address workplace stress. The figures presented earlier make it clear this change was urgently needed. Most business leaders I've spoken with recently were unaware of their obligations to manage psychosocial hazards and the risks they pose. Some didn't even know what psychosocial hazards are. That's a risky way to run any business today. WHS rules don't expect organisations to remove every psychosocial hazard — often an impossible task — but they do require the identification of hazards that are likely to cause problems, and action to manage those risks. If hazards can't be completely removed, they must be reduced as much as possible, and any safety measures put in place should be kept up to date and checked regularly. Organisations are now required to consult all workers when assessing risks or making related decisions, giving them a fair chance to raise psychosocial concerns, share their views, and participate in the process. Several consultation methods are available, including group discussions, private meetings, and anonymous surveys. Importantly, the method of consultation must be agreed upon with workers. Penalties for breaches of the regulations extend to millions of dollars. Toxic workplaces can be eliminated — but only if leaders stop treating mental health as a side issue and start treating it as a legal, strategic and human priority. Alan Patching is a professor of project and construction management at Bond University.
