The State Government has announced a $4 million funding boost over four years for services for people with rapidly degenerative conditions, such as Motor Neurone disease.
The full text of an announcement from Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale is pasted below
The State Government will spend more than $4 million over four years to improve services for Western Australians with rapidly degenerating conditions.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale made the announcement while addressing the 3rd National Motor Neurone Disease Conference in Fremantle.
Ms McHale said the funding was in response to a recent examination of the disability sector which called for improved responses to the changing needs of people with rapidly degenerating conditions, such as motor neurone disease.
"We believe our responses to the needs of these people could be better and quicker," she said.
"To address this, we will provide $1 million per annum to develop and implement more timely responses to people with such conditions."
The Minister said the rapidly degenerative nature of some conditions meant services had to be highly flexible as the level of disability increased.
She said people's needs often changed so quickly that she had asked the Disability Services Commission to look at new and faster ways of allocating support funding.
"We are confident this additional funding and new strategies will improve the quality of life immeasurably for many people with degenerative conditions," Ms McHale said.
"As well, the Government has provided $100,000 for much needed extra equipment available for loan through the MND Association's loan library, and a further $50,000 for cough-assist machines.
"The Carpenter Government is making decisions in the area of disability services for all Western Australians."
