Tina Magennis, service innovation and development manager of the NSW Catholic Community Services, said the organisation recently received funding from the Department of Health and Ageing to operate 23 Consumer Directed Care (CDC) packages.
"CDC aims to provide consumers with more choice and control. The Commonwealth's pilot of CDC focuses on offering consumers choice and control over the types of services they receive. The next stage of CDC could be to allow consumers choice of service provider. Older people in UK and US already have the right to choose their service provider.
"Programs that have provided consumer choice have led to significant changes. Overseas experience shows that some service providers thrive, while lack of demand has resulted in others shrinking and some even closing."The ability to consistently meet consumer expectations is a key success factor when consumers can freely move between service providers."
The report also examines in detail the benefits and challenges of consumer participation strategies, and some ways to overcome the hurdles.
"The consumer participation program has provided CCS with valuable feedback about existing services and a convenient way to test new service ideas.
"Our clients tell us that participating ensures services are geared to their needs. In recent discussions, our clients also told us that the program is empowering. Providing meaningful ways to make a valued contribution, rather than just passively receiving services, contributes to quality of life."
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