New Practice Standards and Quality Indicators for mealtime management, severe dysphagia management and emergency, and disaster management commenced on 15 November 2021. These amendments makes essential changes to the NDIS Act to improve the support and protections provided to NDIS participants who may be at risk of harm. 

The key changes are outlined below.

Mealtime Management & Severe Dysphagia Management

Dysphagia is a medical term for any difficulty with swallowing. It is associated with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions. People with disability who have dysphagia are more likely to die from choking or respiratory illnesses or have serious health complications because of poor management of dysphagia.

Because of the high rates of dysphagia in people with disability, there is an increased risk of respiratory problems and/or choking and poor nutrition. Swallowing problems can allow food, drinks, or saliva to get into the lungs rather than the stomach, which can cause aspiration pneumonia.

The new standards will ensure NDIS participants requiring support for mealtimes and support to manage severe dysphagia have access to nutritious meals of the correct texture and delivered in a way that is appropriate to their needs and preferences.

Which modules do the changes apply to:

• Mealtime Management changes are relevant to Part 5 of the Core Module – Support Provision Environment.
• Severe Dysphagia Management requirements apply to providers of high intensity daily personal activities who have severe dysphagia management set out in their certificate of registration. The changes are relevant to Module 1: High Intensity Daily Personal Activities.

The NDIS has released a practice alert explaining the risks associated with dysphagia, how to support NDIS participants with dysphagia, and provider obligations. Read here.

Emergency and Disaster Management

To address the management of NDIS supports and services during sustained disruptions such as COVID-19, this new NDIS Practice Standard has been developed to strengthen guidance to registered NDIS providers on complying with their obligations to ensure the health, wellbeing and safety of the NDIS participants they support during COVID-19, or future emergencies or disasters.

It is intended to address the planning required by providers to prepare, prevent, manage and respond to emergency and disaster situations whilst mitigating risks to and ensuring continuity of supports that are critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants. 

Which modules do the changes apply to:

• Emergency and Disaster Management changes are relevant to Part 3 of the Core Module – Provider Governance and Operational Management.

When do the changes come into effect?

The following transition periods apply for existing registered NDIS providers:

• The mealtime management practice standard applies to existing registered NDIS providers from Monday 13 December 2021.
• The emergency and disaster management practice standard applies to existing registered NDIS providers from Monday 24 January 2022, allowing time for providers to develop emergency and disaster management plans both across their organisation and for individual participants.

There is no transition period for the severe dysphagia management standard, which will be in effect from 15 November 2021.

You can view the Amendments in their entirety here.

How KLR Communications can assist you to comply with the new Standards

KLR Communications, in partnership with SoCom Consulting, provides NDIS documentation packs and compliance consulting services. We have developed a new pack covering Mealtime Management and Severe Dysphagia Management, which you can purchase here.  Templates for development of Emergency and Disaster Management Plans are available on request.

For other available packs and services, visit our store.

To discuss how we can assist you, Contact Us.