Nutrition Services for people with all abilities (NDIS)

Shirley has worked with many people living with a disability, along with their families and carers since 2019. She has received further training in nutrition for people living disability through professional organisations such as Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

Currently SC Nutrition has capacity to take on new clients in the Central Coast for dietitian services.

Shirley has experience and understanding working with different forms of disability:

- Mental illness: Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

- Intellectual disability such as Down syndrome

- Autism

- Physical disability including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis

- Genetic disorder such as Maple syrup disease, Prader–Willi syndrome

Shirley offers the following nutrition services:

Nutrition assessment and individual nutrition counselling working towards healthy eating behaviours and practices
Group Home meal plan development, including suitable recipes for carer skills, time, budget
Development of accessible food and drink grocery lists
Development of pictorial food guide
Mealtime management plan
Collaboration with other health professional you have (with your consent) e.g. speech pathologist, behavioural therapist
Practical nutrition education sessions for yourself, family or support workers to build capacity and nutrition self-management e.g. how to choose suitable food items, how to use kitchen scales etc.
Development of healthy eating program plans for support workers to help you gradually implement changes in eating habits
Teach how to establish nutritionally adequate meals, even if you are on a tight budget
Food ordering advice during eating out (takeaway, cafe, restaurant)
Guided approach in including new food and expand food choices

Our aim is that you, your loved one or your client can access quality dietitian service to achieve your goals.

NDIS referral form

Dietitian Service under the NDIS

Dietitian consultations, nutrition therapy, meal planning and practical nutrition services are funded under the NDIS scheme. Funding category can be under:

- Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living, or

- Capacity Building: Improved Health and Wellbeing, or

- Core: Assistance with Daily Life

If you have available funds in your approved NDIS plan, there will be no out-of-pocket fees for dietitian services.

Dietitian fees are charged at:

Therapy and therapy-related: $188.99 per hour

Provider travel: $94.49 per hour (labour component) and $0.99 per kilometer (non-labour component)

Therapy and therapy-related billable hours may include face-to-face time, non face-to-face time such as preparation of report, program planning, nutrition resource development , email and phone correspondences with other therapist and care providers e.g. group home managers or team leaders. Travel time charges are in line with current NDIS price limits and regulations.

How can I see Shirley?

Shirley offers dietitian home visit appointment for areas:

- within 30 minutes from Copacabana in the Central Coast (one way), or

- 30 minutes of Waitara in Sydney (one way).

Telehealth consultation is available if it is suitable for you.

How do I arrange for a dietitian to see me, my loved one or my client?

Step 1: Fill out the referral form here .

Once the referral form is received, you will be contacted within 24 hours. Shirley will discuss with you the reason for consultation, any specific request of the type of dietitian service required (e.g. Meal plans, grocery list, easy-to-understand nutrition teaching, in-home cooking skill teaching etc) . This information helps to estimate the total number of dietitian hours needed to set up a service agreement. This service agreement will be sent to you to review. Once the service agreement is signed, service will commence.

Step 2 : Initial appointment (allow for 90 minutes)

This initial session covers:

- Dietetics assessment: Getting to know your living arrangement, circumstances, abilities relating to food and nutrition, health situation and NDIS plan goals etc.

- Discuss and develop dietetics goal to support plan goals, how they are worked towards for the duration of your plan

- If time permits, nutrition counselling/teaching can also commence in this initial session.

A detailed report (if requested) will be prepared within 2 weeks to be sent to your nominated person.

Step 3: Ongoing sessions (60-90 minutes each)

Ongoing sessions is when we 'get to work' on your goals within the hours allocated.

Step 4: End of therapy plan report (if requested)

This will document a summary of therapy, progress to date and further therapy goals and plan. Future dietitian hours for the subsequent NDIS plan may be recommended in this report.

A word on NDIS

Not sure if you eligible for NDIS or want to register your interest? Use the NDIA Access Checklist here (https://www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-access-checklist.html). NDIA phone number is 1800 800 110.

*Travel hours is charged according to the most current NDIS guidelines. Maximum travel time charged each visit is 30 minutes at therapist nominated rate for each home visit.