Speak Out August 2018

Association news

Speech Pathology Australia gains NASRHP full membership

SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ITS APPLICATION FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF SELF REGULATING HEALTH PROFESSIONS (NASRHP).

NASRHP background The National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) originated in 2008 as an informal alliance under the guidance of Allied Health Professions Australia. It has evolved to be an independent body that provides a framework for self- regulating health professions in Australia. You can find further information about NASRHP on their website nasrhp.org.au NASRHP standards NASRHP has established benchmark standards for regulation and accreditation of practitioners within self-regulating health professions. Standards relate to areas such as scope of practice, ethical practice and professional conduct, having robust competency standards which are maintained and strengthened with an annual CPD program, practitioner certification, course accreditation, recency of practice and English language requirements. Prescribed standards are closely aligned with the standards set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHRPA). What does membership with NASRHP mean for the Australian Speech Pathology profession? Full membership of NASRHP is an acknowledgement that SPA’s self-regulation processes meet the high standards set by NASRHP, which also mirror the standards of registration boards. It is recognition that our requirements for professional competence, ethical conduct and recency and currency of practice are all of a very high standard and are applied within a robust framework. Membership of NASRHP provides assurance to consumers that they are receiving a quality service from a certified health professional. NASRHP approved self-regulation is receiving increasing recognition by government and third-party bodies as the critical benchmark for safe and quality practice.

How will NASRHP accreditation of Speech Pathology Australia benefit me as a speech pathologist? It is anticipated that NASRHP membership will strengthen the profile of speech pathologists within the Australian context. Benefits include: • Promotion of the speech pathology profession and its inter-relation with other self-regulating and registered allied health professionals. • Bolstering our professional advocacy opportunities through more formalised alignment with other peak professional allied health bodies. • Challenging ourselves to further improve and maintain our high standard of knowledge, practice and professional conduct across the profession of speech pathology. • Delivering improved outcomes for clients and other stakeholders through standards that ensure the speech pathologist’s professional knowledge remains current, relevant and evidence-based. • Providing all stakeholders with an objective measure of the speech pathologist’s commitment to maintain and extend their professional skills in line with an evidence based national framework of regulatory standards.

Joanna Shorland Professional Self Regulation Advisor Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

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August 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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