[Does ANYONE do functional testing with these systems before releasing/implementing policy? Anyone??? ::crickets::]
Human Services' computers keep disabled out of work Noel Towell Published: September 2, 2015 - 9:26AM Disabled Australians are prevented from getting into the workforce because faulty government computers cannot process their health checks, according to the Australian Greens. Trouble with the ageing computer system at the Department of Human Services has created a backlog of disabled people waiting to complete online health-checks, the last requirement before they can take up paid employment. Disability service providers have told Greens Senator Rachel Siewert that after spending time, effort and resources getting people into work and off benefits, the DHS logjam means their clients are marking time while they wait to start their new jobs. The latest allegations come after a string of public relations disasters for the giant department, which runs Centrelink, Medicare and the Child Support Agency. Software failures and a lack of capacity caused mass lockouts from the MyGov online portal in recent weeks, according to users, with many clients blocked from the system for up to two weeks and some taking their complaints to the Parliament and Commonwealth Ombudsman. The Canberra Times understands that disability employment logjam has been caused by the failure of the department's systems to "talk to" computers used by the job service providers hired to get the disability pensioners back into the workforce. The problem leaves the would-be recruits in bureaucratic limbo, unable to get off benefits without a job, unable to start their job without the health assessment. Are you battling a government IT fail? Send your tips to [email protected] The West Australian Senator, who says the problem has been present for "some months" has demanded an explanation from Human Services Minister Marise Payne for the glitch and wants to know when it will be resolved. "People with disability seeking employment support through disability service providers are struggling to move towards gaining employment because of a problem with the Department of Human Services computer system," Senator Siewert said. "This is preventing people getting appointments for allied health assessments. "The problematic computer system has allegedly resulted in a backlog of people that need to undergo health assessments before being able to access employment services and beginning to seek employment." Senator Payne's office confirmed that it had heard from Senator Siewert but the letter had only arrived on Tuesday afternoon and the minister had not yet had a chance to respond. The department did not respond to requests for comment before deadline on Tuesday. Senator Siewert called on the Coalition to live up to its rhetoric on growing the workforce and resolve the glitch. "Considering this Government regularly emphasises how important it is that people gain employment, it is disappointing to hear anecdotally that the computer system has been faulty for some time." "I understand that this has been going on for some months and is causing a backlog of clients who are unable to pursue employment opportunities until they have had their allied health assessment. "Currently it seems many are stuck in limbo." This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/government-it/human-services-computers-keep-disabled-out-of-work-20150901-gjc9iy.html I write books. http://janwhitaker.com/?page_id=8 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [email protected] Twitter: <https://twitter.com/JL_Whitaker>JL_Whitaker Blog: www.janwhitaker.com Sooner or later, I hate to break it to you, you're gonna die, so how do you fill in the space between here and there? It's yours. Seize your space. ~Margaret Atwood, writer _ __________________ _ _______________________________________________ Link mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
