A major provider's intention to leave the National Disability Insurance Scheme has angered a Lavington couple who relied on its services.
Roxanne Alcott, an NDIS participant, and her husband Howard receive daily assistance from Australian Unity workers but an unexpected letter late last week told them this would end in the next 12 months.
Australian Unity announced on Friday it would "progressively and carefully scale down" its NDIS-funded services in all locations.
"Australian Unity and the NDIA will work closely together to ensure affected NDIS participants experience a smooth transition to another service provider of their choice and that nobody is left without care during the transition period," it said in an online statement.
This has been an ongoing thing with the NDIS and then you get a slap in the mouth like this from a major provider, it's pretty woeful in my opinion
- Howard Alcott
The mutual company said the change was vital to ensuring continued high standards of service for its aged care and disability customers and would allow strengthening of its aged care services.
Australian Unity "does not anticipate" the decision would result in any job losses for workers.
An Australian Unity spokesman told The Border Mail this week there would be no further details released at this stage.
Mr Alcott, a former Albury councillor, said he and his wife, whose leg was amputated about 18 months ago, had negotiated a 12-month contract with the company in January and this change came without warning.
"They're just saying, 'Bad luck, see you later ... you're out on your own, go and find other people'," he said.
If you haven't got somebody who's an active big mouth, you get nowhere
- Howard Alcott
"This has been an ongoing thing with the NDIS and then you get a slap in the mouth like this from a major provider, it's pretty woeful in my opinion."
Mr Alcott said some people would struggle to organise new providers, given how onerous it was to access the NDIS itself.
"Just getting it started, you go through so much rigmarole for the thing to be approved, it's not a battle that you go into lightly, I can tell you," he said.
"If you haven't got somebody who's an active big mouth, you get nowhere."
A National Disability Insurance Agency spokeswoman said NDIS participants with any concerns could contact their local areas co-ordinator or the NDIA on 1800 800 110 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.
"The NDIA will contact participants in the coming weeks to make sure they know who their local area co-ordinator or support co-ordinator is and how to contact them, so they can assist with a transition to a new provider if necessary," she said.
