IHC To Monitor Government Changes To Disability Service Delivery

IHC says it will monitor closely the impact of moving
disability support services delivery from Whaikaha to the
Ministry of Social Development (MSD). The change will come
into effect from October.

The news comes following the
release of a review of Whaikaha – the Ministry of Disabled
People that the Minister for Disability Issues says found
disability services are in a dire state with unsustainable
spending and a lack of fairness and transparency around what
support disabled people can access.

“We welcome all
steps to improve the lives of people with disabilities,”
says IHC Chief Executive Ralph Jones.

“But we will
need to monitor this situation and talk with the people we
support, their whānau, our staff and members as the
implications of these changes unfold.

“We are
heartened by the Government’s commitment to the visions
and principles of Enabling Good
Lives.”

While MSD becomes responsible
for delivering disability services, Whaikaha will be
upgraded from an agency hosted by MSD to a stand-alone
government department responsible for leading work to
improve the lives of disabled people through strategic
policy advice, monitoring the effectiveness of services,
education, and advocating for positive
change.

The Government is implementing
the seven recommendations from the review – including
placing a freeze on current funding levels for residential
facility-based care while a further review is
undertaken.

“A freeze on funding levels for
residential facility-based care is a significant concern,”
says Ralph Jones. “The disability sector has long been
underfunded and providers were relying on price increases
expected for 2024/25.”

“Our services will continue
with our extraordinary workforce providing great support to
people with intellectual disabilities throughout the
country, but this is a situation we and other providers will
be watching closely.”

About IHC New
Zealand

IHC New Zealand advocates for the rights,
inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual
disabilities and supports them to live satisfying lives in
the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events,
membership associations and fundraising. It is part of the
IHC Group, which also includes IDEA Services, Choices NZ and
Accessible
Properties.

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