Thursday, 14 November 2024

Northern Victoria Region

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:47): My constituency question is to the Minister for Health. Can the minister please explain why people in my electorate are waiting many months for an assessment for vital equipment under the statewide equipment program (SWEP) and then many more months for the actual equipment to arrive?

My constituent is a lady in her 60s near Bendigo who has several serious health conditions and is virtually housebound. She needs to be able to leave the house for much-needed medical and dental treatment. She is keen to access a Go Chair electric wheelchair. Her current chair is falling to pieces and she cannot afford to pay for a new one. Eight months ago she contacted the SWEP and was advised that she would need to be assessed by an OT. An OT finally did an assessment last week and said a new chair could take anywhere between four and 12 months. My constituent needs to visit an eye specialist to gain documentation to say she can see well enough to operate the chair and she also needs to visit her GP to gain medical approval to use the chair. This is very sadly ironic; she is having enough trouble leaving the house now as it is. The situation is extremely frustrating and upsetting for my constituent, and I would appreciate the minister’s response.