Speak Out August 2021

Aged care UPDATE

Speech Pathology Australia, Adult/Aged Care Project Officer Nicola Gearon (pictured right) represented the Association at the public hearing.

Voluntary Assisted Dying - QLD Draft Bill

Speech Pathology Australia was invited to present as a witness at the public hearing into the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill at Parliament House in Brisbane on Thursday 15 July. Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is currently lawful in Victoria and Western Australia and has passed Parliament with law to commence in Tasmania and South Australia. The Qld Draft VAD Bill intends to provide an additional end of life choice for those who are dying and enduring intolerable suffering. The person must have decision making capacity and make the decision voluntarily and without coercion. Speech Pathology Australia's representative, Adult/Aged Care Project Officer Nichola Gearon, provided the panel with insight regarding the speech pathologist’s possible role for those wishing to access VAD. The speech pathologist may be asked to • assess swallowing to assist the medical practitioner’s determination of the person’s capacity to safely ingest the medication orally, • assess communication to provide recommendations that assist the medical practitioner to provide optimal communication supports throughout the VAD process, or provide the person with access to appropriate communication aids. Speech Pathology Australia also provided clarification regarding the national regulation of speech pathologists who meet the professional self-regulation requirements of recency of practice and continued

professional development and hold the credential of Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP). During the panel’s consideration of the Qld Draft VAD Bill, Speech Pathology Australia was well positioned to highlight issues of access for people with communication disability. Varied communication methods are acknowledged in the bill, with the person able to make the request verbally, by gesture or other means of communication available to the person. The Panel was receptive of Speech Pathology Australia’s input and asked questions to further their understanding of how communication supports may be required for a person to demonstrate their decision-making capacity. Speech Pathology Australia has offered to provide information toward training and guidelines for health professionals regarding the consideration of communication supports to ensure equal access. Following the hearing, the Committee will report to Parliament and if passed the Qld VAD bill is expected to become available as law from 1 Jan 2023 for those who are eligible. The Health and Environment Committee Panel reviewing the Draft Qld VAD Bill thanked speech pathologists for the important work they do. Watch Nicola's presentation here. The SPA presentation starts at the 7h 40min mark.

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Speak Out | August 2021