The National Mental Health Sector Reference Group (NMHSRG) met online on 14 November 2024 for their fourth meeting of the year.
Corri McKenzie, Chair and Deputy CEO Service Design and Improvement NDIA, opened the meeting with an acknowledgement of lived experience and its importance to the work of this group.
Focus of the meeting
The meeting covered:
- Feedback from the NMHSRG Lived Experience Sub-Group.
- A discussion about Scheme data with the David Gifford, Scheme Actuary.
- A discussion on the program of work for the NMHSRG in 2025.
- Legislative implementation including consultation on plan management, variations and reassessments.
NMHSRG Lived Experience Sub-Group
Representative of the group reported key feedback from their last meeting, including 2024 achievements and work ideas for 2025.
Data
Scheme Actuary David Gifford spoke to latest Scheme data, including numbers of participants with psychosocial disability accessing the NDIS. Member discussion focused on ensuring the Agency uses evidence submitted at access as intended, appropriateness of particular treatments prior to applying to access the NDIS, and access not met decision making based on these treatment options.
Workplan 2025
Chair Corri McKenzie spoke about the Agency's reform priorities, including the delivery and implementation of the new NDIS Act, ongoing implementation of the Psychosocial Disability Recovery-Oriented Framework and opportunities for the NMHSRG to provide advice throughout 2025.
Legislative Changes
Prue Coroneos, General Manager Policy, Evidence and Practice Leadership shared an overview of three new NDIS Rules under development following legislative changes that came into effect from 3 October 2024. These new rules are on plan management, variations and reassessments, and feedback was sought from the group.
NMHSRG Next Meeting
The next meetings of the National Mental Health Sector Reference Group and Lived Experience Sub-Group will be held online on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
