Speak Out December 2018

Branch News

ACT/ New south wales

ACT 90 NSW 2660 members as at November 2018

ACT/NSW Branch educating health professionals: A move towards greater collaboration

During Speech Pathology Week (on 23 August 2018) ACT/NSW Branch held an education evening for general practitioners and allied health professionals in conjunction with Central and Eastern Sydney Private Health Network. Content included an overview of Speech Pathology Australia and professional practice areas; developmental milestones; key communication and swallowing domains and symptoms or ‘red flags’ for referral in paediatric and adult populations; chronic disease management plans and NDIS referral; the role played by speech pathologists working with other allied health professionals and general practitioners. The night was a great success with a total of 30 attendees and a request from the Private Health Network to hold the night again next year! We have received very positive feedback since the event. Even more encouraging are the changes that both general practitioners and allied health professionals have said they planned to make to their practice as a result of this professional development. Attendees reported that they learnt and/or will implement into practice the following: • Using the SPA website for speech development guidelines for speech and language; • Being more proactive working with other professionals; • More likely to refer due to a better understanding;

• Assess speech in primary aged and < 5 year old children; • Dysphagic assessment and referral to SP and possible NDIS funding;

• Utilise speech pathologists; • When talking to people with

communication difficulties, keep language simple and specific; • Refer to speech pathologist if school child has difficulty with writing essays and performing in exams; • Possibly may use speech pathology website more to contact a speech pathologist for advice about how to manage various conditions; • Many people, especially nursing home patients, have undiagnosed swallowing problems. This very encouraging feedback reinforces the value of providing such CPD events to other health professionals to promote our profession and how we can support them and their patients/clients. It is also a very positive step toward achieving some of our 2030 Project aspirations such providing ‘Access for All’ and ‘Collaborative Professional Partnerships’. A very big thank you to everyone who attended and/or organised, particularly our speakers Fiona Eastley, Lisa Forbes and Vanessa Leaver as well as Lauren Thomas the CPD Event Organiser from the Private Health Network.

Caroline Carmody Lisa Forbes

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December 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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