The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) represents a key workforce of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service providers and welcomes the priority the new government is placing on representation and reform of the scheme, to restore it to its founding promise: choice and control for participants.

Accidental falls are a leading cause of death in people living with dementia, yet less than 0.25 per cent of the $3 billion dementia health budget is spent on care that can prevent them.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has welcomed the release of a new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report, Dementia in Australia, launched to mark Dementia Action Week and highlighting the impact of the massive funding short fall.

Speaking before the Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention on 26 July, Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) National President, Scott Willis outlined the vital role physiotherapy training plays in multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary care, but emphasised how Australia’s mental health system limits this care by not properly investing in, and promoting, team based care.

Mr Willis told the Committee that physiotherapists are qualified and trained to work with people who have mental illness across all health settings.