RSL advocacy wins benefit veterans with care needs
Three recent announcements by the Federal Government come as good news for veterans with health and personal care needs. The RSL NSW Veterans Services and Policy Committee (VSPC) and RSL National raised these issues to the attention of the Federal Government, working with them to secure these beneficial outcomes.
Increase to Veterans’ Home Care funding
The Federal Government has announced an additional $70.6 million in funding over four years to increase Veterans’ Home Care fees for domestic assistance and personal care services. This funding will help to ensure important domestic assistance and personal care support through the Veterans’ Home Care program is delivered to the veteran community.
RSL NSW understands how important this issue is for veterans and their families and has been working with the RSL nationally to advocate for an increase in Veterans’ Home Care fees with DVA. The fee increase will benefit the 37,000 veterans, war widows, and widowers who receive services delivered through the Veterans’ Home Care program. More information on how to access the program can be found here.
Extension to Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)
The Federal Government has committed $33 million to extend access to free medical treatment for veterans.
The free Provisional Access to Medical Treatment program provides access to medical treatment for 20 of the most commonly claimed conditions to veterans who have lodged a claim with DVA.
The funding will ensure veterans can continue to access medical treatment for their condition while they wait for their claims to be processed, ensuring veterans access treatment sooner than they otherwise might.
RSL NSW has been working with the new Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and the RSL nationally to ensure the PAMT was extended following the change of Federal Government.
More information about the program can be found here.
Expanded Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Program (PADP)
This commitment consists of $22 million in funding to provide psychiatric assistance dogs to veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Psychiatric Assistance Dog Program matches highly trained dogs with veterans diagnosed with PTSD to support them through their clinical recovery.
The funding announcement comes as the Program celebrates a milestone 100 dogs placed with veterans, many of whom have experienced a positive shift in their wellbeing and relationships thanks to their assistance dog.
RSL NSW and the VSPC continue to work with the RSL nationally and other Ex-service organisations to actively promote issues of importance to members, veterans, and their families. More information on RSL NSW’s veterans policy advocacy work can be found here on the RSL NSW website.
