Last month, 34 people discussed their NDIS frustrations with Amicus staff. Chief executive officer Ann-Maree Davis said many were running out of patience as they chased adequate funding.

She has called for “radical improvements” to the NDIS.

The scheme has been operating in the Loddon region since May 2017 and while there was no doubt it had improved access to support services for many people, Ms Davis said some were facing significant issues amid shortcomings with its rollout and operation.

Staff members met with member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters on Thursday as she consulted people about how the scheme was developing in the region.

Clients and family members were telling Amicus they had hit problems with the planning process, plan implementation, payments for services and even eligibility.

“So there’s touchpoints across every part of the NDIS framework which are really making it quite difficult,” Ms Davis said.

Related: Amicus not only group frustrated, with Quality Living Options saying many feel they are now worse off under the NDIS

The group’s major concern was how NDIS planners determined whether packages were reasonable and nessesary, with some clients saying they were giving up and settling for reduced or ill-suited support.

“We have people who have been supported by Amicus one-on-one for a very long time. They may have challenging behaviours and need to be supported in a particular way,” Ms Davis said.

“They are being forced, because their funding has been reduced, to either have less days of support or choose group support.”

Those people might not be suited to group support, becoming anxious and in some cases becoming assaultive, Ms Davis said.

It was not just people with disabilities who were affected.

“It’s an awful situation for families to be in, as well,” Ms Davis said.

Some of the problems with the system were undoubtedly teething issues with the scheme. However, some were longer term issues.

“Unless they actually address some of the legislative frameworks and policy guidelines then we actually will not see any great change,” Ms Davis said.

Ms Chesters said she was approaching a range of local support services, people with disabilities and their families in a bid to understand problems and find solutions to NDIS problems.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.