YES

INFORMATION WEEKLY ISSUE 144

For week ending Friday 28th September 2012

New Meningitis Website Kiwis concerned about meningitis now have a place to turn for information with the launch of the Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa NZ website. Meningitis is difficult to diagnose as it presents with flu-like symptoms, but can often strike and progress quickly. If it is not diagnosed early and treated effectively, it can result in death, deafness, loss of limbs, brain damage, or other neurological disabilities. The website talks about the symptoms of meningitis, the need to urgently seek medical assistance if meningitis is suspected, and the importance of vaccinating against this disease. More is at www.meningitis.org.nz

Yes Disability Resource Centre still has one office space to rent at Lion Foundation House. Come and join the amazing organizations housed under the one roof.
Taikura Trust Renaissance Independent Living Mobility Dogs F.A.D.E. WDHB Child Development Team Epilepsy North Shore Hearing Therapy Youth Line Supporting Families Amadeus Rehab services Muscular Dystrophy Northern Yes Disability Resource and Information Centre

Come in or give us a call phone 414 5360. We really are in a shared space making a difference for families and disabled people.

PAYING FAMILY CARERS

The Ministry of Health has begun consultation on options for a new policy for delivering Ministry of Healthfunded home and community support to disabled adults that does not discriminate on the basis of family status. The consultation follows the Governments decision not to appeal the Court of Appeal ruling in the family carers case (Ministry of Health v Atkinson and Others) in June 2012. This means that the current policy of not paying certain family members for providing home and community support to disabled adults needs to change. This is a complex task and public input, and in particular input from the carers and disability communities, is vital. The consultation will look at questions including:
What to pay family carers for Whether to target eligibility for payment How to pay family carers Should a family carers payment be established through the welfare system What Government and taxpayers can afford

Further information, including the consultation document, Consultation on Paying Family Carers to Provide Disability Support, submission form, questions and answers, and the dates and locations for public workshops is available at www.health.govt.nz/familycarersconsult. Submissions can be made online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/familycarersconsult, by completion of the submission form and emailed back to familycarersconsult@moh.govt.nz, or in writing. We encourage you complete the survey or use the submissions form provided. Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday 6 November 2012.

Information and advertisements in this newsletter are provided as a service and does not imply support. YES Disability Resource Centre disclaims affiliation or association with views and opinions expressed.