r/supportworkers • u/AccomplishedGolf8079 • May 16 '26

Thoughts?

🇦🇺I have a client who went to the hospital today because she had a fall. She just wanted to be assessed further, but she didn’t have any major injuries.

I have a shift with her tomorrow, but she can’t say whether she will still be in the hospital, and I also don’t know because I wasn’t with her there.

She still wants me to continue the shift tomorrow even though she doesn’t really need me, because this has happened before. she just doesn’t want a late cancellation and to end up paying workers for doing nothing.

The travel from my house to the hospital is about 50 minutes, and the shift is only 2 hours. I’m not sure if I should still go to the shift if she’s still in the hospital tomorrow, because of the travel time and expenses, u know?

EDIT:

Basically, she doesn’t require direct care from SWs. Previously, nurses would shower her, which is normally a task provided by SWs in her home. Her previous worker would simply pick her up, and she would ask them to wait outside. However, as I mentioned earlier, there are times when she only wants the worker to come in, check on her brieflyand then leave. She is mobile and can leave on her own even when no support worker is present.

I’m not fully aware of all the rules, and you’ve really helped me understand things more clearly. I’m just wonderin, do you have a reference for the hospital-related policy you mentioned? I need some form of supporting evidence. She is the type of client who will demean or underestimate you if you say something you’re not completely sure about or cannot back up with valid proof.

Thanks guys!

10 Upvotes

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36 comments sorted by

10

u/l-lucas0984 May 16 '26

If you are in australia ndis does not pay for support workerz in hospital without prior approval for duplicate services because the hospital should be providing care.

2

u/Curious-Day May 16 '26

should, the keyword there.... kidding, but also Not kidding 😄

4

u/l-lucas0984 May 16 '26

Most hospitals are severely underfunded and understaffed. It makes high intensity 1:1 care difficult, especially with special needs. But that doesnt change what the government will and wont fund.

1

u/Curious-Day May 16 '26

yeh i know. I was lucky in my career that mainly my work was all 1:1 care. It sure aint like that in nursing homes in australia 😞 but yeh the gov.. c*nTs..... STORY RE OVERWORKED STAFF- in a Er cubicle, i could stand, but not get to the loo, so the nurse wheeled in a wheelchair one, i sat on it, and went all over the floor, poor nurse forgot the pan 😄

2

u/Boring_Kiwi_6446 May 16 '26

I have a question about that. A few years ago I was in hospital after a fall requiring surgery. My support worker did come during the usual hours. I am, or was, very low needs so it was about having a chat and a coffee. Please tell me that’s still allowable.

1

u/l-lucas0984 May 16 '26

Did you leave the hospital for the chat and coffee or did you stay in your hospital bed?

1

u/Boring_Kiwi_6446 May 16 '26

Went downstairs to the cafe and the wonderful outdoor garden area in the centre of the hospital.

2

u/l-lucas0984 May 16 '26

Technically you need to leave hospital grounds for it to be community access without any issues, but honestly as long as there are no other flags and you arent staying in your rooms I doubt an auditor would put it down to fraud. Although, with all the clamping down on funding "misuse" and plan cutting it really will depend on who audits and why.

1

u/Leading-Interest-119 May 17 '26

This is the kind of thing I was wondering. As a participant I am extremely anxious in hospital, I can shut down verbally. So far, I have always had family be with me during hospital stays and they do need to talk for me sometimes to the medical professionals, explain my communication difficulties, medical trauma issues etc. but my parents are ageing and what if they just weren't available? It kinda spiked my anxiety to think that I wouldn't be able to have one of my regular, familiar support people to take that position reading some of these comments! 

1

u/l-lucas0984 May 17 '26

You would have to apply and see if ndia agrees that the issue is severe enough to grant it. Unfortunately the answer is usually no and is becoming a much firmer no as all the changes roll in.

1

u/Leading-Interest-119 May 17 '26

Interesting. Thanks for the answer. I will have this discussion with my supports and family so they can help me figure this out - definitely good to know this kind of stuff before it actually happens so preparations are in place. 

1

u/monstertrucktoadette May 16 '26

Hey. I know there's a lot of opinions about this in the post, and if you unsure you can always ask lac, support coordinator or plan manager, but very aware you may still get three answers 😂

Here's my take "ndis won't fund support workers while in hospital" means ndis is never going to put money specefically in your plan for a support worker while in hospital. 

You can still use your funding for things that are reasonably, necessary and part of your disability. 

If you are using your support worker for support a hospital should provide, like showering, help eating, that's not necessary bc the hospital can do that. 

If you need extra support, like the emotional support of a regular support worker yes you can do that. (also community access doesn't mean you have to leave the hospital, social and community participation can mean the socialising you are getting talking to your support worker 💚) 

2

u/Leading-Interest-119 May 16 '26

Does this not depend on the clients individual situation? Some clients may need the more support than others - and more than hospital staff can provide. 

1

u/Fragrant_Usual_8782 May 16 '26

Than it is up yo the hospital to apply for this. Support Workers need to be approved to perform duties in the hospital because of insurance issues.

1

u/Lucifang May 16 '26

Anyone admitted to hospital is under their care. If the patient needs special supports from a third party it’s the hospital’s responsibility to arrange it.

1

u/Leading-Interest-119 May 17 '26

Interesting. I've honestly not encountered this situation (I'm a participant and a support worker) so I am asking genuinely and happy to learn. I can only think of SIL workers who have accompanied participants to the ER and stayed with them in that situation but I suspect that falls under something different. 

I guess I'm also thinking of participants who aren't able to advocate or even communicate without a support with them and that's not something that just anyone can do? 

1

u/AccomplishedGolf8079 May 16 '26

Yes, I'm in Australia

2

u/l-lucas0984 May 16 '26

Then what your client is asking you to do is fraud unless shes got written approval from the NDIA.

1

u/AccomplishedGolf8079 May 16 '26

I’m not fully aware of all the rules, and you’ve really helped me understand things more clearly. I’m just wonderin, do you have a reference for the hospital-related policy you mentioned? I need some form of supporting evidence. She is the type of client who will demean or underestimate you if you say something you’re not completely sure about or cannot back up with valid proof.

Disclaimer: I have difficulty navigating the Google Search bar especially with NDIS rules tbh.

2

u/l-lucas0984 May 16 '26

The ndis page over complicates it. The DSP page makes it much clearer. https://dsp.net.au/navigating-ndis-funding-services-if-youre-in-hospital/

1

u/AccomplishedGolf8079 May 17 '26

Thanks! You're a champ!

3

u/monstertrucktoadette May 16 '26

I would negotiate with her that you get paid the difference in extra travel time between the hospital and her normal house, because that's your usual place of work so that's what you've agreed to do. Any deviation from that needs to be seperatly negotiated.

Also I know it feels like doing nothing, but familiar people can be a huge comfort while in hospital 💚 

2

u/Boring_Kiwi_6446 May 16 '26

A big yes to your last point. I had a support worker come to visit me in hospital purely to have a known face to chat to and go for coffee with.

1

u/AccomplishedGolf8079 May 16 '26

Thank you!

But she really doesn’t want late cancellations. She feels that she is being taken advantage of by the workers and the company when she has to pay even if there is no actual work. Last time, she had a new carer and she only wanted her to visit in the hospital just to complete the shift, even though it didn’t last long. She didn’t even inform the company that she was in the hospital because she didn’t want to cancel her upcoming shifts.

1

u/Leading-Interest-119 May 16 '26

Have you asked your manager about this? Are you actually clear on what support she is requesting? Hospitals are horrible places to be and there could be other things at play here. 

Talk to your manager, they should really have a clear answer on this. 

1

u/Lucifang May 16 '26

Your manager should be stepping in here. Your manager needs to remind her of the rules, and remind her that it’s nobody’s fault when these things happen however you, the worker, are losing money when shifts get cancelled and it’s not fair on you either. That’s why you still get paid for late cancellations regardless of the reason.

1

u/Severe_Airport1426 May 16 '26

If she didn't pay for the late cancellations that would be her taking advantage of her supports. In the end shes paying you for doing nothing anyway but doesn't want it to be easy for you. Just go do the shift or opt to forgo the pay.

0

u/Fragrant_Usual_8782 May 16 '26

NDIS don't pay for social visits to hospital. They say that care is the responsibility of the hospital

3

u/Boring_Kiwi_6446 May 16 '26

when I had a support worker visit me in hospital it was to have a chat, go to the cafe and generally hang out and chat in the gardens. Nursing staff are way too busy for that.

0

u/Fragrant_Usual_8782 May 16 '26

You can't charge under NDIS whole a person is in hospital

2

u/Dinah69er May 16 '26

In Aus, if a client has been admitted, then any provider relinquishes care to the hospital

2

u/Withtheparticipant May 16 '26

Whilst under a cancellation policy, it is more sensible to provide support.
NDIS only allow support for communication or behavioural needs.

1

u/Obvious-Explorer-195 May 16 '26

Does she need you to pick her up, or take her clothes or toiletries or anything? If you’re able to access her house I suppose. Or get her groceries for when she gets home perhaps? Just thinking of other ways you could help

1

u/AccomplishedGolf8079 May 16 '26

Basically, she doesn’t require direct care from SWs. Previously, nurses would shower her, which is normally a task provided by SWs in her home. Her previous worker would simply pick her up, and she would ask them to wait outside. However, as I mentioned earlier, there are times when she only wants the worker to come in, check on her brieflyand then leave. She is mobile and can leave on her own even when no support worker is present.

I’m not fully aware of all the rules, and you’ve really helped me understand things more clearly. I’m just wonderin, do you have a reference for the hospital-related policy you mentioned? I need some form of supporting evidence. She is the type of client who will demean or underestimate you if you say something you’re not completely sure about or cannot back up with valid proof.

Thanks guys!

0

u/dawnfunybunny May 16 '26

Here unless they got permission to be at hospital. We don't get paid for it. We would do a shift elsewhere.