Wellbeing budget delivers only heartbreak for Cochlear Implant patients

Today’s first “Wellbeing” budget has been hugely disappointing and a let-down for staff, patients, and Board alike.

We are funded from Disability Support Services (DSS) which is a part of Vote Health. This year DSS was allocated an extra $484 million over 4 years but there does not appear to be anything set aside for cochlear implants. We understand the funding announced today will allow for the continued maintenance of existing services, but that there is no money for new initiatives.

We re-iterate that for our patients a cochlear implant is the only treatment that will restore their hearing. We know it works, and without funding they’ll remain deaf for the rest of their lives.

We will continue to advocate for more funding for our patients despite today’s set-back. In response to today’s budget announcement, we have put out the following Press Release