NDIS participants are set to find it even harder to access the essential dietetic and nutrition supports they need, with 1 in 4 Australian dietitians who provide NDIS services considering cutting back their service or leaving the sector due to the ongoing pricing freeze.
A Dietitians Australia survey found that 25 percent of members reported plans to stop home and site visits, shorten the number and duration of sessions they offer, cease services to clients with complex conditions, and prioritise service delivery outside of the NDIS.
It comes following the National Disability Insurance Agency's (NDIA) decision to freeze 'therapy supports' pricing, including for dietitian services, for the fifth consecutive year.
"There is a real risk many NDIS participants will be left without equitable access to the critical dietetic and nutrition supports they need," Dietitians Australia President Tara Diversi said.
"We are in a situation where the strain on the nutrition and dietetic workforce, and wider allied health community providing supports within the NDIS is becoming unsustainable.
"Our members are finding it increasingly challenging to continue their services and ability to operate in the disability sector, due to significant inflation, higher operational expenses, increased administrative load and ongoing ambiguities in NDIS policies," Dietitians Australia Chief Executive Officer Magriet Raxworthy said.
"The NDIA has overlooked the economic realities of what it takes to ensure high quality, accessible therapy supports are continued for NDIS Participants.
"Measures to ensure the sustainability of the NDIS must not jeopardize participants' access to essential therapy supports including dietitian services," Ms Raxworthy said.
Dietitians Australia is joining the Allied Health Professions Australia community in calling on the Government to immediately increase the prices for therapy supports in line with wage increases, to 3.1 percent, and implement a 1 percent loading for all registered providers.
"We urge the government to expedite the work on NDIS pricing function reforms to strengthen the sustainability of services, transparency and predictability.
"We believe that through collaboration and dedicated effort, we can ensure that NDIS participants have access to the high-quality dietetic support they deserve and that allied health professionals are supported and fairly compensated for their critical work.
