DCSI Equipment Program
The Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) state-wide equipment program (known as the Equipment Program) services the equipment and home modification needs of clients of Disability and Domiciliary Care Services, Novita Children’s Services and Minda Inc. Domiciliary Equipment Service (DES) then manages the supply and maintenance of all equipment and home modifications for the Equipment Program.
Internal Prescriber
An allied health professional or registered nurse employed by DCSI, Novita Children’s Service or Minda Inc who is approved to prescribe equipment and/or home modifications for clients eligible to access the Equipment Program.
External Prescriber
In order to maximise access for clients and facilitate discharge planning, qualified health professionals in agencies other than DCSI and Novita Children’s Service can prescribe equipment on behalf of their client seeking to access the Equipment Program. These health professionals are, for the purposes of the Equipment Program, called “external prescribers”.
Approved Prescriber
A term used when internal prescribers for the Equipment Program have demonstrated skill in prescribing a particular equipment or home modification type, allowing independent prescription of those items. Without this status, the prescriber must get further sign-off by an ‘approved prescriber’ for that item. Refer to the in-scope list for items requiring “item specific approved prescriber status”.
Delegate
A role that is authorised by the Equipment Program to approve the need for, and the priority to supply a Category 2 equipment or home modification item(s). This is usually a Team Leader or Team Manager.
Eligibility
Clients must meet the general 'key approval criteria'for the equipment item(s) or home modifications being requested. In addition, there are specific eligibility criteria for particular equipment items or /home modifications
Key Approval Criteria
A set of key criteria that a person must meet in order to be eligible for any item available through the Equipment Program (see “Eligibility”).
Specific Eligibility Criteria
Some equipment and home modifications have additional eligibility criteria that must be met by a client in order to be approved for supply. The in-scope lists indicate if the item has extra specific eligibility criteria.
Equipment Screening Tool
A tool that must be completed and submitted to the Equipment Program to demonstrate that the client has met the eligibility criteria set out for the item. Not all items require a screening tool to be completed; this is indicated on the in-scope list.
In-Scope lists - Equipment/Home Modifications
The lists of equipment or home modification types that the Equipment Program has endorsed for supply when the client meets the eligibility criteria. The list includes information on prescriber requirements, whether the item is Category 1 or 2 and whether any additional criteria and screening tools apply.
Equipment Item Types
Manual and powered wheelchairs, mobile shower commodes, seating and accessories, children’s posture chairs, children’s walkers, children’s standing frames, technology and speech generating devices have different features and accessories available and the Equipment Program has listed these separately as different ‘types (i.e. 1-4)’. There is a document which describes each equipment type named Equipment Item Types.
Category 1 Equipment
Generally lower cost or easily re-issuable items that DES maintains as stock. These items are supplied immediately if available; they may be placed on back-order if not immediately available. Items are identified as Category 1 on the equipment in-scope list.
Category 1 Home Modifications
Generally lower cost home modifications which will usually be completed within 2 weeks of being processed, pending availability of funding. Items are identified as Category 1 on the Home Modifications In-scope list.
Category 2 Equipment
Category 1 Equipment Item Specific Prescriber
Item that requires prescription by an item specific approved prescriber but can then be ordered from Equipment Services without delegate approval.
Category 2 Equipment
Equipment items that require sign-off by a delegate beforeDES will supply the item to the client. Item types are identified as Category 2 on the Equipment in-scope lists. If a client’s needs can not be met through the stock items available on the Catalogue, then the item being requested for purchase is considered Category 2. All Category 2 items require a risk rating and priority scoring form to be completed as part of the prescription
Category 2 Home Modifications
Home modifications that require sign-off by a delegate before DES will process the request. Home modification types are identified as Category 2 on the in-scope list.
Risk Rating and Priority Scoring Form
This is required for all Category 2 items of equipment. It is used to prioritise supply of these items.