Speak Out April 2021

POLICY & ADVOCACY

In addition to the significant advocacy work being undertaken by Gail Mulcair and other SPA staff through AHPA, it has been an extremely busy time for Speech Pathology Australia in the representation area. A look at the 'Submissions' section of Resources for the Public on the Association's website demonstrates all of the consultations that SPA has already responded to in 2021. Of course there have been three recent activities of particular significance which our Senior Advisors provide information about in the following pages. These are: • the ongoing work of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability • the release of the Royal Commission Report into Victoria’s Mental Health System • The release of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Further advocacy work is underway with all three of these projects to ensure that the important role of speech pathology is appropriately considered and recognised in the implementation of reforms coming out of all these important royal commissions. RECENT ACTIVITIES IN ADVOCACY

Disability

On 2 March 2021, Speech Pathology Australia's CEO Gail Mulcair, Manager Professional Standards Stacey Baldac and Senior Advisor Disability Amy Fitzpatrick were invited to attend a virtual public hearing to give evidence about SPA’s submission about the education and training of health professionals in regards to people with cognitive disability. This was day three of Public Hearing 10, which explored the issues such as: • content of curricula in medical and allied health courses specific to the health needs of people with cognitive disability and areas of redevelopment needed to better support people with cognitive disability • accreditation of education and training programs • practice standards and professional competencies • the extent of involvement of people with cognitive disability and their families/support persons in the education and training of health professionals • cultural attitudes, assumptions and beliefs about the quality of life of people with cognitive disability • communication with people with cognitive disability and their families and carers, support persons. The main messages presented at the hearing from the Association were about the need to access better funding for both speech pathologists and interdisciplinary practice in the disability sector and health sectors so that allied health professionals can work together more regularly, provision of communication access training across the broader Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Mark Smith Manager, Policy and Advocacy

18

Speak Out | April 2021