1654—Health—PROGRAM OF APPLIANCES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

Mr Cohen to the Attorney General, and Minister for Justice representing the Minister for Health—

1. What are the total number of days per year that clients of the Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP) scheme have occupied a hospital bed, between official lodgment of application forms and fitting of equipment and devices for the following years;
1. 2004?
2. 2005?
3. 2006?
4. 2007?
2. What is the cost of clients of the PADP scheme occupying a hospital bed, between official lodgment of application forms and fitting of equipment and devices for the following years;
1. 2004?
2. 2005?
3. 2006?
4. 2007?
3. What is the total cost to NSW Health, both in dollar terms and in number of people needing to be re-assessed for items of equipment when they have been waiting for a period greater than 6 months for the following years;
1. 2004?
2. 2005?
3. 2006?
4. 2007?
4. To date, what is the total dollar value of the implemented 'efficiency improvements' recommended by Price Waterhouse and Cooper?
1. Can the Minister outline how these savings have been paid back into PADP?
5. What is the value of outstanding invoices (invoices not paid within 30 days) for items supplied or ordered through PADP?
6. Could the Minister indicate what would be the value of efficiency savings if waiting times for equipment were reduced by 50%?

Answer—

I am advised:-

(1) to (3).  No data is routinely available on these matters and the diversion of public resources required to collect this information cannot be justified on this occasion.

(4) to (6). The Review of PADP conducted by PriceWaterhouse Coopers, and the NSW Government response to the review were released in November 2007. It is too soon for specific dollar values to be quantified.