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April 27, 2016
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Issue 90
Rehabilitation centre forced to Another motor turn away hundreds of women registry closed a d a l b a b a s e d women’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, Kamira, is continuing a seven year battle for increased funding to better meet the demand for its services.
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According to Kamira Director, Cr Lisa Matthews, Kamira is a unique, evidence based, rehabilitation facility designed to help pregnant women and new mothers that are experiencing drug and alcohol abuse to kick their habits and refocus their lives around the fulfilling experience of motherhood. “Nearly all women who present to Kamira for treatment will have their children removed if they do not undergo residential rehabilitation and often present with traumatic histories such as mental health issues, domestic violence, cognitive impairments and criminal and family law matters,” she said. To help women undergoing treatment, Kamira employs a variety of tertiary qualified clinicians such as psychologists, social workers and a 24 hour specialist team to ensure patients and their children are safely on the road to recovery. This emphasise on motherhood as a means to recovery has put Kamira at the forefront of women’s rehabilitation in the Central Coast region, however, the facility has been struggling to
Cate Hewett of Kamira
operate at capacity due to ongoing funding issues. “Presently, funding issues have prevented the Wadalba facility from filling half of its beds, forcing the facility to turn away hundreds of women in need and forcing the most in need onto waiting lists up to 12 weeks long,” Ms Matthews said. Kamira chief executive, Ms Cate Hewett said the facility’s lack of funding meant Kamira cannot employ the staff it needed to run at capacity, let alone expand its services. “Kamira is funded by both state and federal health departments on typically three year grants,” Ms Hewett said. “However, Kamira is currently operating off a one year extension grant
which has caused huge problems with retaining staff. “The NSW Health Department has failed to provide any additional funding since it built the Kamira facility in 2009. “There are currently 11 beds filled out of a possible 22. “Cost wise, to increase the number of beds filled to 13 we would be looking at $112,157 per bed. “Based on this cost model, Kamira would need an additional $656,314 to increase its services to a minimum of 24 women and their children,” Ms Hewett said. According to Ms Hewett, joint funding from NSW Health and the Federal Department of Health and Family
and Community Services could appropriately cover this, yet despite her best efforts, Ms Hewett’s attempts to vitalise Kamira have been falling on deaf ears for close to seven years. “In 2011, NSW Health commissioned a business review by Ernst and Young for the facility. “The three month review recommended additional funding be provided to Kamira to deliver a full capacity service, but this funding was not delivered. “I’ve written to every health minister since 2009 about the incredible demand for, and the subsequent community consequences of not providing treatment to these women, and still nothing. “It’s unbelievable how little they care about these women and their children,” Ms Hewett said. Kamira received 620 requests for service in 2015. Women remain on the facility’s waiting list for four to 12 weeks. Ms Hewett also urged people to write to their local MP’s about the state of Kamira and women’s health services. “Please urge your MP to help Kamira. “The Government built the facility, now they need to fund it,” she concluded. Interview, Apr 6, 2016 Lisa Matthews, Kamira Director Interview, Apr 6, 2016 Cate Hewett, Kamira Chief Executive Journalist, Dilon Luke
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he Entrance Motor Registry closed its doors for the last time on Thursday, April 21.
Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan MP said the NSW Government “shut down the motor registry, dismissing the concerns of residents that the closure will see not a single NSW Government office left within The Entrance electorate.” Mr Mehan said he had opposed the closure since it was first announced. He said he had been working with Services NSW and Wyong Council to attempt to maintain a service in The Entrance. “The State government has refused to listen to the public on this issue,” Mr Mehan said. “My office has been flooded with calls from people who want to know how the government
expects to deliver a service to our area,” he said. “As of lunchtime on Friday, April 22, more than 65 members of the community were turned away and told to go elsewhere. “The minister clearly has never been here to see the site. “Only someone from Sydney would believe that driving from The Entrance to Tuggerah is a short drive. “I will continue to work with Wyong Council and the community to see a government service delivered for our area,” Mr Mehan said. Media release, Apr 22, 2016 David Mehan, member for The Entrance
David Mehan outside The Entrance Motor Registry
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