Disability Access News

ANGUS HOHENBOKEN
Tasmania Mercury

March 20, 2008 12:00am
THE family of disabled teenager Scott Holmes said they were furious at having two weeks of respite cancelled at a day's notice.

Leanne and Chris Smith spoke with the Mercury last week about their frustration at waiting three years for disability day-care funding.

Following a story in the Mercury on March 12 they were pleased to get a call from Disability Services assuring them he had been moved to the top of the priority list.

But the next day Mr Smith received a call from Lutana Disability Services Respite Care Centre informing him respite booked for Scott from March 14-28 had been cancelled.

Scott has the intellectual capacity of a two-year-old and requires constant supervision.

One week out of every month he does not sleep.

Mr Smith this week said he and Leanne had been severely disappointed at having to cancel holidays.

"(Another client) was supposed to be picked up (at the care centre) on Thursday and the family said they wouldn't be coming to pick them up basically."

He said the centre had also cancelled respite for another two people that were going away on holidays.

"Another couple was going to Melbourne and they've been dealt with the same," Mr Smith said.

"I don't know if there are others not being picked up or if they have just over-booked.

"But we know for a fact there are people in there permanently."

What most annoyed the couple, who have two other children at home, was the short notice.

They were initially told the dates were not available and then they were approved, so Mrs Smith had taken time off work and they booked accommodation in Launceston.

Mr Smith said he didn't blame the respite centre.

"Respite's hands are tied, they can't put the kids out on the street," he said.

"The Government needs to be doing more to help them out."

Disability Services director Wendy Quinn denied the family's respite accommodation had been cancelled.

She said there had been a mix-up with a booking and alternative care options were offered to the family.

"No other bookings have been cancelled," she said.

"Families with booked clients were advised of a recent emergency admission of a client with some behavioural issues and some chose themselves to make other arrangements."