Marathon Health hosted the workshop at the Dubbo RSL on Wednesday. It was attended by various organisations including the Westhaven Association, Birrang Enterprise Development Company, and Barnardos Australia and the Benevolent Society.

Clinicians were trained in assisting participants in transitioning to the NDIS and ensuring the quality services are integrated with health care and person-centred plans. 

The I-CAN v5 assessment used on Wednesday was developed by the University of Sydney Centre for Disability Services based upon the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (World Health Organisation, 2001) framework to meet the needs of the Australian context.

Marathon Health representative Jess Brown said the assessment provided clinicians with a common platform to define people’s skills and aspirations, and the support they needed to meet them.

“It has been really eyeopening, really reframing the conversation in a positive way – I can do something, I can achieve, I can reach my goals, and this is the support I need to do that,” she said. 

“The NDIS puts the control about the support people will receive in their hands.

“It’s such a positive policy initiative for people and their families and we look forward to working with as many people as possible.”

Jess encourages people wanting to do pre-planning for the NDIS to contact Marathon Health on  6826 5200.

Integrated Services and Partnerships manager at Marathon Health, Megan Callinan, said Marathon Health is taking steps now to ensure its staff are able to deliver the best care to participants.

“The implementation of the NDIS is going to bring with it a lot of change in terms of how people living with a disability, or who require psychosocial support, to access the care they need,” she said.

“Following the training, clinicians are better prepared to assist people who will qualify for a NDIS package on July 1.”