Carers working in the South West shared their experiences and the challenges they face on a daily basis with Community Services Minister Simone McGurk when she visited the region last week.
South West Carers Advisory Council chairperson Maria Radosavljevic said it had been great see so many carers take time out of their busy schedules to attend the forum.
“Carers and service providers expressed very detailed concerns and frustrations with the wide variety of health services, or systems around the South West,” she said.
“We would like to thank the Minister and Carers Advisory Council for holding the forum, giving carer's a voice.
“We hope they will return in the near future and advice carers if any changes have been implemented from some of the issues raised from the forum.”
Ms McGurk said it was the first time the Carers Advisory Council had come out to a regional area and done a consultation and information session.
“It was really well attended, which is really good to see,” she said.
“Carers are so important in our community, there are a significant number of carers who do an amazing job with people with disabilities.
“These are unpaid carers, they not only do an incredible job because they love and care for the people they are responsible for but the know them and they understand what their needs are.
“If we didn’t have those people doing that work, not only would the level of care be compromised but the cost would fall back on the state.”
Ms McGurk urged carers to find out what their entitlements were for support, respite and assistance.
“Alot of the issues people were talking about as carers were around transitioning to the NDIS, there’s a lot of uncertainty around that and we’re hoping to work through those,” she said.
“Part of this process is to listen to what their concerns are – I can understand now that there is confusion and uncertainty.
“I heard some very compelling and really challenging circumstances that people are in, so it’s really good as a Minister to come here and listen to those concerns.”
To find out more about carer entitlements and support contact 1300 227 377 or visit carerswa.asn.au.