New stats show more South West locals are accessing allied health services, but through high wait times

Despite an overwhelming number of South West residents wanting to access NDIS services, the electorate of Forrest has some of the highest wait times in the country according to new data. The latest Kismet Care Index has revealed the South West overall ranks 36th out of 150 electorates nationally when it comes to NDIS coverage, but extraordinary wait times have affected results. Scoring of 83.3 in the index, Forrest is well above the national median overall with a 69 per cent utilisation rate, sitting just above the national average, suggesting participants are accessing and using their approved supports. However, a local 9.9-day median wait time shows the South West sits more than double the national average as one of the worst in Australia. The local electorate ranks first nationally in supplier concentration, meaning participants rely heavily on their primary provider for ongoing support. Triple Paralympian and Ready-Set-Connect head of events Don Elgin said the high supplier concentration should act as a call for service providers to move to the region. “People have got trusted sources they are going to, but they are going to them a lot. This pushes out the wait times,” he said. “Though if anything, it’s probably a shout out to service providers. If they want to get busy, come to the Bunbury area.” While Mr Elgin said the 69 per cent figure shows people aren’t shopping around as much as they could be. “While this figure means that providers are doing a good job, it also means that participants have the power to be able to shop around, to be able to try different providers,” he said. “These stats are saying there is plenty more choice and control that they (locals) might not be exercising.”