Latest News
MontroseAccess, Moving With The Times
MontroseAccess’ senior management and Board have been conducting extensive research and consultation regarding whether or not MontroseAccess is best served by maintaining operations from this location. The Board has agreed that as the model of service delivery has changed over the years from on-site care to off-site and community care, the current grounds and facilities at 54 Consort Street are no longer suitable. Further to this, the cost for maintenance and upkeep as well as development requirements to suit future needs is extremely cost prohibitive. As a result, it has been decided that the entire MontroseAccessoffices head office will be relocated.
This decision presents incredible new opportunities that are in the best interest of our clients and their families. By modernising our facilities and resources, reducing our costs and locating ourselves in a growth area, we will be
better able to maintain the excellent standard of care we have become known for across Queensland.
Both therapy and administration will remain together as opposed to finding separate offices. The Board will now focus on looking at suitable locations, with the highest priority being in the South West growth corridor. Land will be sought in the same region in order to custom build a brand new respite facility.
During this exciting period, MontroseAccess will maintain its current service and staffing levels. Further to this,there will be consultation regarding future service and facility development to ensure staff and client needs are met. There is much planning yet to be done. If you have any comments about this decision, please feel free to voice them via our free call hotline on 1800 815 181 or email corindainfo@montroseaccess.org.au
Changes in pulmonary function with respiratory infections in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Dr Leanne Gauld at the Royal Children’s Hospital Brisbane is conducting a study that will examine the changes in breathing tests over time and during respiratory infections in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We don’t currently know how much a respiratory infection impacts breathing tests, and if the change it causes reverses after the infection clears. The study will find this out, so that we can better direct treatment for infections.
We are looking for boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy aged 10-18 years to participate in the study. Participants will be asked to come to the Royal Children’s Hospital for breathing tests every three months for three years. These are the same breathing tests that many boys with DMD perform when they see their respiratory doctor. We will also ask them to come in if they have a respiratory infection to see a paediatric respiratory doctor, and perform more breathing tests.
For more information, or to participate in the study, please call Lucy Keeling at the Royal Children’s Hospital Respiratory Centre on (07) 3636 7046, or email at Lucy_Keeling@health.qld.gov.au
Assessment of Preschool Lung Function in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Dr Leanne Gauld at the Royal Children’s Hospital Brisbane is performing a study which will assess lung function in young children with SMA. The technology to perform respiratory function tests in this age group is relatively new, and we hope to be able to use this information to assess treatment response (Epilum in the first instance), anaesthetic risk and improve sleep study timing. The lung function test causes no discomfort to the child and just involves breathing through a mouthpiece connected to a machine.
We are looking for children aged 2-8 years with spinal muscular atrophy to participate in the study. Participants would be required to visit the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane every three months for a year (5 times in total). For the first visit they will meet with Dr Leanne Gauld who is a paediatric respiratory physician and have a lung function test in the laboratory. Every visit after that they will just be required to perform the lung function test, which should take less than 30 minutes.
For more information on the study, or to participate, please call Lucy Keeling at the Royal Children’s Hospital Respiratory Centre on (07) 3636 7046 or email Lucy_Keeling@health.qld.gov.au
Better Start for Children with Disability - July
The Australian Government recently announced the Better Start for Children with Disability initiative that provides early intervention funding to parents and carers of children up to the age of seven, with a diagnosis of either Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Fragile X syndrome, deaf-blindness or eligible hearing or vision impairments. The funding is up to $12,000 to pay for allied health services. Unfortunately, most of our client families and carers will not get this service as they will not have a child with an eligible disability. MontroseAccess is very concerned about this and has written to Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers seeking an immediate extension of the intiative to include other disabilities. We have beena dvised that expert advice about evidemce for easrly intervention in relation to other types of childhood disability and developmental delay, including an analysis of current research is being undertaken. This will help inform consideration of extending the program to other types of childhood disabilities.
If you think you may be eligible for the Better Start initiative, please contact Carers Queensland on freecall 1800 242 636 as it is managing the registration process. If you are parents or carers of an ineligible child and you want to complain, please email Better.start@fahcsia.gov.au, a dedicated inbox for FaHCSIA, the Australian Government department responsible for the program.
Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme conference - Living With Equipment
The second symposium and trade exhibition for people who use medical aid equipment and their carers will be held in Brisbane on 24-25 August. The program would also be of value for Nurses , Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists. To find out more about the conference, or make a booking, go to Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme website
Every Australian Counts
Every Australian Counts is an electronic petition in support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Productivity Commission is to deliver its report on this scheme to Governement by the end of June. We want everyone to get behind this important opportunity for change by signing the electronic petition. It's hoped that this petition will receive one-million signatures in support of the scheme. You can sign the petition by going to Every Australian Counts
MontroseAccess Response To Productivity Commission
MontroseAccess welcomes the review of the current disability support system and the goal of developing a National Disability Strategy to enhance the quality of life and increase economic and social participation for people with disability and their carers. It also agrees with the Commissions description of the current service system as underfunded, unfair, fragmented and inefficient. Further, MontroseAccess supports the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme that provides cover for all Australians in the event of significant disability.
To read the full response, click here
Have Your Say
The Productivity Commission has released its interim report on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and is seeking responses by the end of April from organisations and individuals. MontrosAccess will submit a response and would like to include feedback from our families, carers and clients.
If you would like to contribute to the MontroseAccess response please come along to a forum on Friday 15 April from 10.00am – 12.00am, at the Corinda head office, Meeting Rooms 2 & 3, 54 Consort Street Corinda. Light refreshments will be provided.
Whilst we understand that not everyone one will be able to attend this meeting, particularly those of you in regional and rural areas, we are hoping that many of you are available. If you cannot attend the forum and would like to submit feedback please email Lorraine Digney.
If you would like to attend the forum please RSVP via email by 8 April 2011 or call Lorraine Digney on 3717 1116
Please read the overview report prior to the meeting. The Productivity Commission website also has the two volumes of the full report, if you are really keen!
History Book Available
From 1933 up until the present day, more than 75 years of MontroseAccess history has been captured in a stunning 110 page hardcover coffee table book. Local historian and author Helen Gregory has spent three years interviewing past and present staff, digging out archives, and seeking public comment to retrace the amazing history of this well known and loved organisation. The book reveals connections with the British navy from the Second World War as soldiers would take clients down to the water for day outings to see the ships. It also uncovers a link between MontroseAccess and a former US President's wife, Eleanor Roosevelt.
You can purchase your very own copy of the MontroseAccess history book from our Merchandise page.