Speak Out December 2018

Association news

Board report THE FINAL BOARD MEETING FOR 2018 WAS HELD AT THE NATIONAL OFFICE ON FRIDAY 23 AND SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2018. THE MEETING INCLUDED CONSIDERATION OF THE ASSOCIATION’S BUDGET FOR 2019, WHERE A RANGE OF OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC PROPOSALS WERE REVIEWED.

Meeting highlights

Professional standards • The Board heard that the CBOS Review Project

Ethics and professional Issues • Revisions to the Association’s Ethics Board Background and Procedures were approved by the Board. These revisions aim to strengthen and provide clarity to the procedures. • The project plan for a major review of the Association’s Code of Ethics was also approved. The project will include significant consultation with internal and external stakeholders and consumer groups, with publication of the new Code of Ethics expected in June 2020. • Funding was given to research aimed at evaluating the Ethics Education package offered to members by the Association, to assist Ethical decision-making protocols in professional practice. • A revised policy, Policy 3.03 Code of Ethics – Advertising , will be released to the membership shortly. The policy aims to inform members of their obligations to practise within the Code of Ethics in relation to all advertising they produce or for which they have oversight. Representation • The Association continues to lobby the NDIA in relation to a number of major concerns, with the Board recognising the significant impact the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is having on the profession and individual clinicians. Key areas of advocacy include: Funding of supports for dysphagia and mealtime management; Eligibility of Developmental Language Disorder and other primary communication disabilities; Quality and Safeguards Framework, and verification/audit costs. • It was noted that Speech Pathology Australia has represented the profession at several Joint Standing Committee inquiries regarding the NDIS, with the most recent being the AT Parliamentary Inquiry. • Other recent representations include: Allied Health MBS Items review; Royal Commission into Aged Care Terms of Reference; Hearing Health Roadmap Stakeholder Forum. • Speech Pathology Australia recently wrote to the South Australian Government emphasising the need for a paid intermediary scheme , following the Government’s announcement to cut funding for the Communication Partners program. • Following a letter to the incoming SA Minister for Education, it was noted that Speech Pathology Australia has secured a meeting with the Minister’s office regarding the Literacy Guarantee initiative .

continues to progress well, with high-quality discussions being held. • Recent changes to the University Accreditation process, due to be implemented in 2019 were discussed, with the Board agreeing to a change to the accreditation fee structure to be introduced in 2020. • The Board approved a proposal aimed at streamlining and providing greater consistency and support for re-entry program participants. • The revised position statement on Mental Health was considered and approved. • A number of practice documents were prioritised for completion in 2019, including: • Completion of: • Clinical Practice Principles in Voice Assessment and Management • Reviews: • Credentialing

• Principles of Practice • Services in Schools • Clinical Education • Role of Speech Pathologists in Aged Care

• New:

• Working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people • Working in the Justice System • Supporting Speech Pathologists Working in Advanced and Extended roles and contexts.

Marketing and communications • Commitment was received to progress the review of the Association’s Strategic Marketing , in line with the Association’s priorities. • Key Association promotions, including Speech Pathology Week, Book of the Year, and Swallowing Awareness Day were discussed and preliminary plans for 2019 confirmed.

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December 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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