Making the Health Budget go Further

The Government's Prioritisation Tool was launched by the Ministry of Health in 2014, to better assess and supply the services and equipment the disabled need to assist with their conditions, so they can maintain a comfortable standard of living.

The Prioritisation Tool's goal is to spread the Government's health budget further (not reduce the budget) by eliminating unnecessary equipment and other resources being allocated to people with disabilities. The tool targets those who need the appropriate resources and it also gives people with disabilities a voice using the online Impact on Life questionnaire.

What exactly is the Prioritisation Tool?

A key component of the Prioritisation Tool is the Impact on Life questionnaire that asks the disabled person (or their family or whanau if they need assistance) to determine the impact their disability has on their life. The responses then go into computerised diagnostic software to assess the equipment available and make recommendations. 

The questionnaire allows the customer to explain their disability and what they need while taking into account their physical and cultural factors. Whereas in the past an assessor may have prescribed equipment that was not the best fit for a particular person or situation the intention of the new tool is to help supply those with the greatest need while ensuring more fairness.

Doing More with Less.

The Prioritisation Tool means Cubro is now supplying increased quantities of easy to supply essential equipment. On the flipside, assessors from the Government have become more financially conscious in their pursuit of better use of taxpayer dollars, which is good for the New Zealand public as they're now getting better value for money with less wastage. Also, more disabled people are getting the help they need, not the help they don't.

 

Contact Garry Stanners at garry.stanners@cubro.co.nz or Freephone 0800 452 273 ext 6000 to discuss your disability equipment requirements.