Staff have warned that people with a disability could be forced to wait longer for help if a Brooklyn-based organisation trims its workforce as planned.
Workers at Yooralla’s independent living centre have been told there could be job cuts ahead of a planned relocation to new premises in Tottenham.
Victorian Health Professionals Association secretary Craig McGregor said services, such as assistance with wheelchairs, would suffer as a result – a claim denied by Yooralla.
Mr McGregor said if Yooralla went ahead with plans to sack three or more therapists as part of a restructure, it would be prioritising “rebranding” over frontline staff.
“Health professionals at the independent living centre have provided a valuable service to the community for many years. It’s a one-of- a-kind service for Victoria,” he said.
“If Yooralla wants to improve its public image, cutting services to clients is not the answer.”
Staff argue that any cut to the number of therapists will lead to the turning away of clients who need advice and help with ‘independence’ equipment.
They say a blowout in the waiting list for aids and equipment support will force people to find a private therapist, who could charge more than $200 for the first assessment.
“If Yooralla is struggling financially, then maybe it should look at the $1.5 million it paid eight managers last year,” Mr McGregor said.
But a Yooralla spokeswoman said the organisation was ensuring it was appropriately structured.
“The intent is to ensure that we have a sustainable business that can continue to offer services into the future,” she said.
“The priority is to ensure that we are spending money in accordance with what we are budgeted to provide.”
She said the independent living centre would be moved to a more accessible location, closer to public transport, by November.
The transition would remove duplication in administrative functions, the spokeswoman said.
‘‘There will be no changes in terms of service delivery to clients.”
Based in Brooklyn and Blackburn, Yooralla’s independent living centres provide trials and information on often-expensive assistive and communication technologies.
Therapists offer advice to help clients make informed choices about equipment most suitable for their needs.
