The shock closure scheduled for March 15 was revealed by the Health Services Union (HSU) on Friday after it met with employees, who were told of the decision this week.

The HSU slammed the closure it says will leave 22 employees out of a job and “hundreds of local families without support”.

Northcott on Friday confirmed to the Daily Liberal it had “made the difficult decision to close its Dubbo services after more than 25 years of operation”.

Northcott chief Kerry Stubbs cited more competition in the sector resulting from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as a factor.

“As the NDIS has been fully implemented, Northcott, like other disability providers in NSW, has continually reviewed its operations and refined various approaches in order to improve the services we provide to all of our customers while working in this new environment,” Ms Stubbs said.

“Unfortunately in Dubbo we were not able to attract enough customers and experienced staff to support them.

"We explored many options, but ultimately we could not offer a viable service to those customers and have made the difficult decision to close.”

Ms Stubbs said Northcott’s main concern was assisting its customers to choose other providers.

“Supporting people with disability remains our priority and Northcott’s primary focus will be assisting our current Dubbo customers to transfer to the provider of their choice,” she said.

“We are confident that we can support them in this as there is a range of suppliers in the market.

“Similarly, we know that other providers will be interested in talking to our experienced staff about employment options.

“While we have indicated that we will close our operations on 15 March 2019, we will continue to provide support as needed to those customers that have not yet transited to other providers.

“Our customers have already been contacted about the closure and we will be engaging with each one to assist them where needed.”

HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes on Friday called on Northcott to urgently reconsider its decision for the service.

“Northcott boasts about its commitment to the Dubbo community, but this decision appears to be have been made in haste and without consultation,” he said.

“The staff at Northcott in Dubbo are specialists in their field, and they also have strong relationship with the people they assist.

“If Northcott has been having problems with the viability of its Dubbo service, then frankly something should have been done it about earlier.

“This sudden closure is unacceptable.”

Mr Hayes called on federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton  and state Member for Dubbo Troy Grant MP to guarantee that no member of the local community would miss out on NDIS services.

“People with disabilities deserve to be treated to respect, compassion and consideration,” Mr Hayes said.

“The withdrawal of NDIS services will undoubtedly cause people stress and anxiety, so they need to know they will not be left out in the lurch.”

Just two months ago Northcott Dubbo received a $33,000 grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation to go towards an upgrade of its facility in Quinn Street.

At the time, Northcott reported it would put the cash towards enhancements to the access, security and safety of the location, as well as the installation of acoustic dampening to reduce noise impact on the many customers who have a sensory process disorder.

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