Speak Out June 2019

JUNE 2019

THE MAGAZINE FOR AUSTRALIAN SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS

Renew your membership now!

Forging a future with all Australians

NT Members collaborate with police

SPA’s New Podcast - coming soon! Professional practice support and advice NEW - Ethics mailbag

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June 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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Conte n ts

June 2019

National Office Level 1/114 William Street Melbourne VIC 3000 T 1300 368 835 F 03 9642 4922 E office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Chief Executive Officer Gail Mulcair T 03 9642 4899 E execassist@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Speech Pathology Australia Board Gaenor Dixon – President

New Podcast coming soon!

Belinda Hill – Vice President Communications Brooke Sanderson – Vice President Operations Chyrisse Heine – Director Tim Kittel – Director Marleen Westerveld – Director Maree Doble – Director Follow Speech Pathology Australia via:

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SpeechPathologyAustralia

@SpeechPathAus

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Copyright © 2019 The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Speak Out is the official bi-monthly magazine of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd. Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) owns the copyright to Speak Out and no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the explicit permission of SPA. Write to us Letters can be sent to pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Letters may or may not be published in future issues of Speak Out magazine at SPA’s discretion. Advertisements Please refer to the “Publications” menu at www.speechpathology australia.org.au to view the 2019 Speak Out ad kit. Any queries may be directed to SPA Publications Manager T 1300 368 835 E pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Advertising booking dates for August 2019 Speak Out. The official booking form must be received at National Office by COB 9 July 2019 . New South Wales – Jamie Summerfield Northern Territory – Rebecca Amery Queensland – Leanne Sorbello, Catherine Hicks, Erika Campbell and Rebecca Sexton South Australia – Melanie Barrie Tasmania – Rachael Zeeman Victoria – Shane Erickson Western Australia – Jamaica Grantis Please see the website for Branch Editor contact details. Disclaimer To the best of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited’s (‘the Association”) knowledge, this information is valid at the time of publication. The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content or accuracy of the material in this publication. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of the information provided. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this publication. Print Post Approved PP349181/01711 Print ISSN 1446-053X Digital ISSN : ISSN 2208-7125 Speak Out Branch Editors ACT – via pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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From the President

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Forging a future for all Australians - SPA apology

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Speech Pathology Australia at the UN

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It’s time to renew your membership!

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Meet the SPA Professional Standards and Recognition team.

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Ethics News

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Ethics mailbag - testimonials.

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Aged Care - Focus on palliative care

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National Conference - Darwin

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In Practice - Professional Practice support

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Professional Education - SPA’s new podcast

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Branch News

Cover photo: Speech pathologists Anna Green and Melissa (Melba) Ridd presented to the Northern Territory (NT) Police currently undertaking a Child Forensic Interviewing course. See more in NT Branch News.

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From the President

The television, radio and social media are all full of EOFY advertisements right now. EOFY means EOMY (end of membership year) for Speech Pathology Australia members - renewals opened on the 3 June. Since I have been in this role, membership in the Association has nearly doubled! Double the members has meant that we can do (more than) double the work, and when you read through this edition of Speak Out you can see the many ways that we support members in their endeavours to provide high-quality professional services, and advocate so that all Australians can access high-quality professional services. So don’t forget to renew - it benefits you, it benefits the profession and it benefits Australians with communication and mealtime support needs. As I write this we are doing the final preparations for the joint Speech Pathology Australia and New Zealand Speech Language Therapists Association Conference. It will be a fabulous opportunity to learn from each other and the leaders in our various fields. This year National Conference is being held during Reconciliation Week. The theme of Reconciliation Week is Grounded Truth: Walk together with courage. To truly have reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples our relationships must be based on truth. The truth for our profession and Association is that we have not always listened and implemented practices that truly respect and acknowledge the skills, knowledges and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At National Conference on behalf of the Association I will acknowledge this truth, and apologise for the harm and non-beneficence that this has caused our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, clients and communities. This apology allows us to continue our journey towards reconciliation – which will continue with the commencement of our first Reconciliation Action Plan. Conference also marks the EOBY - End of the Board Year - where the Board of the Association changes over with newly elected members stepping on to the Board and resigning members stepping down. This year Marleen Westerveld will be stepping down from the Board. I would like to acknowledge the passion, intellect and perspectives that Marleen has brought to the Board; thank you Marleen for all your work for our Association and profession. I would like to welcome Eddie Ong and Kathryn McKinley on to the incoming Board. This year I will be stepping down from the Board too. I would like to thank you for the opportunity and privilege of being able to serve on the Board and as National President over the last four years. I would like to thank the current and past Boards for all their support and work. Thank you to Gail Mulcair, CEO, for your capacity to advise the Board and take Board directions and strategise them into the actions that you see in your day-to-day life. I would also like to thank our National Office staff - we are very lucky to have staff with your skills and passion, and I have enjoyed and learnt so much from working with you. The Association is in a strong position due to a strong Board with a clear vision for the future of the Association, the strong strategic and management skills of the CEO, the senior management team of the Association, all staff, and you our members who volunteer and participate. Thank you to all. I will miss this role but look forward to seeing the Association moving forward with new voices.

Gaenor Dixon

Gaenor Dixon National President

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Forging a future with all Australians

dynamic workforce. The Association recognises that the profession cannot reach those aspirations without partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. In seeking to develop truly collaborative partnerships, which are based on shared decisions and power, the Association recognises the harms that past ways of working have inflicted and commits to forging a future that is truly collaborative with all Australians.

On Monday 3 June, at National Conference in Brisbane, the Association’s National President delivered the Association’s Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The Association in its landmark Speech Pathology 2030: Making Futures Happen report aspired to a future where the speech pathology profession provided access to speech pathology services to all, timely services, clients and communities driving service delivery, collaborative professional partnerships, and a diverse and

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Association news

Speech Pathology Australia’s Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

• working with clients and communities to develop services that are culturally safe and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; • recognising, valuing and embedding the skills, knowledges and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our work; • building collaborative professional partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals and organisations; • building culturally safe learning and work environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and professionals; • listening carefully to community needs, wants and ambitions when planning and conducting research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, empowering community members as leaders of and partners in research; • ensuring that research is translated and owned by community, to support local decision making; • advocating for holistic services that will address the social and cultural determinants of health and help to close the gap between the educational and health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those of non-Indigenous Australians; • advocating for the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with communication and swallowing disorders, recognising the value and importance of the languages spoken in their homes and communities; • ensuring that speech pathology methodologies, tools and services adhere to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldviews; • supporting the development of an Association that provides a culturally safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speech pathology membership. Through and with these actions we will work towards growing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speech pathologists in speech pathology services and leadership positions within the profession and the Association. We look forward to contributing to a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have timely access to culturally safe and responsive speech pathology services, led and implemented by communities, and with equitable health, wellbeing and educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Speech Pathology Australia recognises, values and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, knowledges, languages and ways of healing and the connection to, and custodianship of, land, waterways and sea. We recognise the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the face of historic and current injustices. We acknowledge that colonisation and institutional racism has resulted in a society where there is inequity between the health, educational and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. Speech Pathology Australia recognises that as a profession we have not always: • acknowledged and respected the skills, knowledges and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; • sought to listen carefully and to truly understand the world views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; • worked collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and imposed our presumed expertise; • Utilised diagnostic frameworks that honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldviews, • utilised assessment methodologies and tools that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ways of communicating; • conducted research that has benefitted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; • developed and implemented services that have promoted the importance of culture or advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of communicating; • spoken up when we have seen policies that negatively impact on the communication, swallowing, social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We recognise the negative impacts of these actions and lack of action. We acknowledge that the impacts include inappropriate labelling and deficit-based narratives, services that exclude or are not safe and accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, research done to rather than with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and research that does not translate to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We apologise for this harm and for the ongoing impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Going forward we commit to: • recognising, understanding and redressing all forms of racism in our services and profession;

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Association news

Board meeting report May 2019

The second Board meeting for 2019 was held in Melbourne on Friday 17 May 2019. It was a highly productive meeting including new Director induction, strategic presentations and the 2020- 2023 Strategic Planning workshop. Some of the meeting highlights included: Speech Pathology 2030 Gretchen Young of Young Futures joined the meeting to discuss the outcomes of the Speech Pathology 2030: Making Futures Happen report and how the Association can further embrace the aspirations of this key project in decision making. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives The Board approved the wording of a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, which will be issued on 26 May 2019 to coincide with National Sorry Day, as well as presented to members at the 2019 National Conference, ahead of the launch of the Association’s first Reconciliation Action Plan. In 2019 Speech Pathology Australia will provide two scholarships to support Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander students in attending the IAHA Conference. In addition, a Director’s attendance will be supported. International Collaborations Speech Pathology Australia, in collaboration with the International Communication Project, has been accepted to host a side event, dedicated to Communication Disability, at the 12th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Representatives of Speech Pathology Australia, including Chief Executive Officer, Gail Mulcair, National President, G Dixon and Vice President Communications, B Hill and Assoc Prof S McLeod will represent the Association at the Conference. (Further details can be seen in the June issue of Speak Out). The Trinh Foundation Australia provided a final report on their Majority World Countries and Developing Communities Grant project, ‘TFA Beyond Borders Mentoring Program’. The project saw the co-ordination and delivery of an integrated e-mentoring program, including a framework, structure and set of tools for volunteer mentoring clinicians who engaged in formal mentoring relationships with less experienced speech therapists in Vietnam. Opportunity to network with other Australian advocacy organisations The Australian Government, through the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Social Services, extended considerable support to advocacy and NGO groups attending the United Nations’ Conference of State Parties meetings, and hosted information meetings prior and during the Conference. Attending these meetings was a great opportunity to not only learn the inner workings of the UN COSP-CRPD Conference, but also to meet and share experiences with other Australian organisations who attended. The Association’s Chief Executive Officer, Gail Mulcair, and Professor Sharynne McLeod joined other NGOs at the first meeting held at the Human Rights Commission. Organisations present included people with Disability Australia (on behalf of DPO Australia), First Peoples

Evidence-based practice Support was given to a proposed Clinician-Researcher

Partnership Grant, up to a maximum value of $30,000. The grant will fund a project which involves a team consisting of clinician(s) and researcher(s) working in partnership to address an area which will add to the evidence-base for communication and swallowing disorders and is embedded in the clinical context. Professional education Manager, Professional Education, M Brown, discussed a recent review of the Professional Education program offered by the Association and her plans to expand and make professional education more accessible to the membership across multiple formats. Strategic collaborations with other organisations to further enhance the professional development offerings, are also being considered. Professional Standards Manager, Professional Standards, S Baldac, and the Professional Standards team, presented the outcomes of Phase one of the Competency Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) review, with the Board providing their support for the recommendations put forward at this time. Phase two and three of the project will test and refine the phase one recommendations. Ethics The 2019 Annual General Meeting will see changes to the Ethics Board, with long standing Ethics Board Chair, Assoc Prof Suze Leitão, stepping down from the Board. S Leitão’s significant and ongoing contribution to the Ethics Board will be will be acknowledged during the meeting. Communications and Marketing Manager, Communications and Marketing, Michael Kerrisk presented on the outcomes of a recent Speech Pathology Week review, along with some recommendations to reinvigorate the initiative, including the use of broad and consistent themes. Work is underway on the development of a campaign to celebrate the Association’s 70th Anniversary this year. The Board will next meet on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August 2019.

Disability Network, Women with Disabilities Australia, NSW Council for Intellectual Disability, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, Queensland Advocacy Incorporated, Rights and Inclusion Australian (RIA), Vision Australia, and Down Syndrome Australia.

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Association news

Speech Pathology Australia at the UN

participate had a communication disability and delivered their message by use of AAC. The panel was chaired by Mr Derek Munn, Director Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and a representative of the ICP. The panellists for the side event were: Ms Gail Mulcair, Chief Executive Officer, Speech Pathology Australia and ICP representative. Ms Meredith Allan, President, International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and a person who uses AAC, Australia. Mr Miles Forma, Disability Advocate and a person who uses AAC, USA. Professor Sharynne McLeod, Charles Sturt University, and Editor of Special Issue of the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology “Communication is a Human Right: Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. Ms Julia McGeown (via video), Lead Inclusive Education and Technical Advisor, Humanity and Inclusion, UK. An invitation was extended to Mr Alastair McEwin, the former Disability Discrimination Commissioner to participate. Unfortunately, Alastair had to withdraw after finishing as the Disability Discrimination Commissioner to take up a role on the panel for the disability royal commission. The Association’s forum was one of 88 events scheduled during the COSP, which ran alongside the main conference’s, the UN General Assembly and Roundtables, and a Civil Society Forum. Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

Speech Pathology Australia, in conjunction with the International Communication Project, led a delegation on communication disability at the United Nations. Speech Pathology Australia, with the support of The Royal College of Speech Language Therapists (RCLST), American Speech–Language–Hearing Association (ASHA) and the International Communication Project (ICP), hosted a dedicated side event on 12 June as part of the activities surrounding the 12th session of the Conference of State Parties (COSP) to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The COSP was conducted at the United Nations’ headquarters in New York from 11 to 13 June 2019. The side event was titled, People with Communication Disabilities Speak Up for Inclusion and Participation: How the implementation of the CRPD and Sustainable Development Goals can support his right. disabilities with international health bodies (like the UN) and their policy makers, while gaining explicit recognition of communication disability in the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Background The CRPD was adopted by the United Nations on 13 December 2006 and came into force on 3 May 2008. Article 40 of the convention stipulates that “The State Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties in order to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the present Convention”. The 12th session of the COSP had a cross-cutting theme of Awareness Raising with three sub-themes for the conference’s roundtable, involving: • technology, digitalisation and ICTs for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities; • social inclusion and the right to the highest attainable standards of health; • inclusion of persons with disabilities in society through participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sports. Planning The ability of Speech Pathology Australia to hold a side event at the United Nations was only realised after the Association, along with the Royal College of Speech Language Therapists (RCLST), finally secured in 2018 NGO accreditation to the Conference of State Parties to the CRPD. The planning and work for the side event has been long in the making. Final approval for the side event was only secured in May, less than eight weeks before the forum took place. The Association believes that this is the first time a side event has been held at the United Nations with the specific topic of communication disability. Conduct The side event took the form of panel of speakers, followed by a question and answer session. Two of the speakers invited to With Speech Pathology Australia being the lead organisation, it was an honour to have the event co-sponsored by the Australian Government. The aim of the event was to raise the profile and status of communication

Side event synopsis Communication is a fundamental human right and yet people with communication disability are often denied the right to “freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information” (Article 21, CRPD) and rights and freedoms regarding “communication” and “language” (Article 2, CRPD). This side event will increase awareness of this often invisible disability and discuss proposals to strengthen effective trans-national cooperation to promote a human rights-based approach to inclusion and participation. Presenters with communication disabilities and others from government and civil society will speak to the COSP sub-themes: How technology can support communication accessibility, the importance of effective communication to attain a high standard of health (and education), and the need for social inclusion and equal participation in cultural life, recreation, and leisure. The prevalence and impact of communication disability on SDGs relating to poverty, health and education will be highlighted.

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Association news

Give voice to the profession WHY YOU SHOULD RENEW

Why should you renew your membership? It is a good question. And one with a very simple answer. When you renew you are joining a professional organisation backed by over 9,700 members. And one where membership has clear benefits! Benefits that include: • use of the post-nominal CPSP (as applicable); • professional indemnity insurance at a reduced cost from Guild Insurance (and access to Meridian Lawyers); • recourse to WorkPlacePLUS; • exclusive discounts on a range of quality lifestyle, leisure and financial services through the Member Advantage Program; • support of senior managers and advisors across a range of areas, including professional practice, professional support, disability, aged care, ethics, professional issues and professional standards; • the Association’s bi-monthly magazine, Speak Out; • free access to the Australian Journal of Rural Health and the Journal Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica; • a 30% discount on a range of publications from Routledge (Taylor & Francis); • the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology; • “closed” members-only Facebook communities on a range of professional and clinical matters; • professional development workshops and online events at member rates, including registration for the Association’s annual National Conference; • support through the Association’s mentoring and supervision programs; and, • the ability to find or post a new job through the Association’s Career Centre.

Your membership of Speech Pathology Australia helps gives voice to the speech pathology profession in Australia. In the last 12 months, your Association has worked hard to put your interests as a speech pathologist to the fore. These endeavours have included: • securing NDIS therapy price increases from 1 July 2019; • invitations to give evidence at public hearings related to the NDIS, aged care (including the Royal Commission into Aged Care); • contributing to the formation of key recommendations to the review of MBS items; • advocating for and supporting the implementation of communication intermediary roles in a number of state and territory jurisdictions; • supporting the introduction of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) across Australia; • supporting a range of managers and advisors in the Association’s National Office in key areas, including private practice, professional standards, ethics, disability, justice, mental health and NDIS; • produced and launched videos on youth justice and forensic mental health; • broadened the range of member-only materials available via the Association’s website, including revised and updates Clinical Guidelines, NDIS updates and information, and private practice FAQs, guides and toolkits on a range of topics; and, • ongoing CPD and other professional education events, including private practice forums, sessions for new and early career members, and a “sell-out” National Tour with Dr Julie Cichero.

For a complete list of member benefits visit the Association’s website: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/benefits

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Association news

Membership renewals NOW OPEN

You should have received your membership renewal information email by now. If you haven’t you can still log into your member account and renew online. Not sure of your username and password? Simply email membership@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au or call the membership team on 1300 368 835. Are you on direct debit? All direct debit payments will roll over into the new membership year with the first installment to be made on 15 July. To renew as a Certified Practising member, you MUST renew online and sign the member declaration and declare your PSR points or you will become a Non Certified member. Are you renewing as a Certified Practising member? You will need to submit PSR activities from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 or 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2019 if you renewed for 18 months minimum of 20 points across at least two activity types to be able to renew as a Certified Practising member. Medicare Provider status If you have a Medicare Provider number you must renew by 1 July 2019 to avoid any potential disruption to your Medicare provider status.

Renew online before July 1

How to renew... An email was sent to all members with a unique login link but iff you didn’t receive your link follow these instructions: Go to: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au > Member login (top right hand corner) > Input your username and password > Click on ‘View your name’s account’ (top of the page)

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Association news

Speech Pathology Week theme is set! COMMUNICATING WITH CONFIDENCE

In 2019, Speech Pathology Week will be from Sunday 25 to Saturday 31 August. The theme for Speech Pathology Week in 2019 is: Communicating with confidence . The theme reinforces the important role that speech pathologists play in the lives of Australians with speech and communication difficulties. Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with the more than 1.2 million Australians who have a communication disability that impacts on their daily life. Communication remains a basic human right and Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote this fact. As in previous years, the week will be promoted by a media, digital and social media campaign. A Speech Pathology Week kit will be available for members to purchase. Separate marketing collateral will be supplied to state branches to help promote their own Speech Pathology Week events. For more information about Speech Pathology Week and to order a Speech Pathology Week kit visit the Association’s website: speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/week

Speech Pathology Week 25 - 31 August 2019

Michael Kerrisk Communications and Marketing Manager

Scoping study to support Rwandan refugees

149,289 in a population of 11.8 million (April 2019). This project is helping to identify the next steps in ensuring that Refugees with Communication Disability are able to access appropriate SGBV response and prevention, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Education (SRHE) services. This consultation aims to document current SRHE provision, identify good practice and challenges, understand refugees’ perspectives and make recommendations for possible ways forward. View the full scoping study at www.speechpathologyaustralia. org.au/rwanda

In 2016, at the instigation of UNHCR, Julie Marshall, Manchester Metropolitan University UK, Helen Barrett, Communicability Global Rwanda, and Sidra Anwar, UNHCR Rwanda, carried out a small scoping study and literature review to begin to understand and describe the challenges to supporting refugee- survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) who have a communication disability, in Rwanda. This project was support in part by a Speech Pathology Australia Working with Developing Communities Grant. Rwanda has a significant refugee and asylum-seeker population

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Insurance, without the gulp.

We know it’s not always about pronunciation and flash cards, sometimes it’s just hard to swallow. But your insurance doesn’t have to be. Our 14 year partnership with Speech Pathology Australia means our products are developed to meet the unique situations you experience as an Australian speech pathology professional. To find out why Speech Pathology Australia continue to believe that no other insurer represents better value for their members, call Guild on 1800 810 213 or visit guildinsurance.com.au

1800 810 213 guildinsurance.com.au

Better through experience.

Insurance issued by Guild Insurance Limited ABN 55 004 538 863, AFS Licence No. 233791 and subject to terms, conditions and exclusions. For more information call 1800 810 213 . Guild Insurance supports Speech Pathology Australia’s ongoing projects, lobbying and research through the payment of referral fees. Please refer to the policy wording and policy schedule for details. SPE24080 Speech Pathology Speak Out Magazine June

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SAVE THE DATE

There is plenty happening in speech pathology in the coming months and opportunities for you to learn, get involved and help to promote the profession. WHAT’S ON ?

25-31 AUGUST SPEECH PATHOLOGY WEEK Help promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with the more than 1.2 million Australians who have a communication disability that impacts on their daily life. Visit the Association’s website for more about how you can get involved with Speech Pathology Week. www.speechpathology.org.au/week JULY - NOVEMBER LEARNING WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS & PODCASTS Over the coming months there is a full schedule of workshops, webinars and podcasts for you to increase your learning and professional networks. Workshops are scheduled across the country and range in topics from paediatric dysphagia to finding out what’s new in voice therapy. Visit the Professional Development page of the SPA website to book your seat in the workshops.

NOVEMBER BOOK OF THE YEAR The Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards aim to promote children’s books as literacy

tools, as well as raising awareness of the role speech pathologists play in helping children develop language and literacy skills. In October the Book of the Year poster will be available to download via the website. Keep an eye out for more news in National eNews and Speak Out. www.speechpathology.org.au/books

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Ethics

NEW CHAIR SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA ETHICS BOARD

Farewell to the outgoing Chair: Associate Professor Suze Leitão

At the Speech Pathology Australia AGM on Monday 3 June, Dr Trish Bradd was appointed as the new Chair of the SPA Ethics Board. Dr Bradd is a Fellow of the Association and is well known as an inspirational leader in the speech pathology profession in Australia. Dr Bradd has extensive experience in provision of clinical services and management of speech pathology within healthcare and recently was awarded a PhD for her work on Allied Health leadership development. Dr Bradd has had a strong and sustained involvement with Speech Pathology Australia for many years. She has been a Senior Member on the Ethics Board since 2010, was national president of SPA between 2005-2006 and prior to that was on the NSW Branch Executive for many years. The Ethics Board is pleased to welcome to Dr Bradd to this role.

Suze Leitão is another well-known leader in speech pathology who has contributed significantly to the profession in many ways including through her work for the Association. Assoc Prof Leitão has completed 11 years consecutive service on the Ethics Board, two initial years as a Senior Member then the last nine years as the Chair. Suze embodied the values of our profession in her role as the Chair of the Ethics Board: integrity, professionalism, respect and care, and a firm commitment to quality standards including awareness and maintenance of personal competence, and she will be greatly missed by the members of the Ethics Board and National Office staff. The wisdom, reasoning and casuistry she brought to the role provided significant benefit to the Ethics Board, the Association, her colleagues and the profession. committee to incorporate into the review. Focus groups have commenced with an initial session for Victorian members on 21 May 2019. Further groups are planned for locations across Australia, including meetings via videoconference for rural and remote members. Key external stakeholders and consumers will also be invited to participate in separate focus groups. Further details regarding venues and times for member focus groups will be announced in branch e-news. Please keep an eye on emails and e-news for updates and information or contact Trish Johnson, Manager Ethics and Professional issues, at National Office if you have a question or to sign up for the focus group near you. Remember, you can earn CPD points for attending.

Contribute to the future of our profession SPA IS OFFERING MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN THE REVIEW OF A CORE PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENT – THE SPA CODE OF ETHICS.

The SPA Code of Ethics underpins professional practice and is a resource speech pathologists can use to support ethical decision making. SPA is now offering members the opportunity to participate in small focus groups, to explore how the code should evolve to continue to support our profession. SPA initially developed the code for members in 1976 and it has been reviewed regularly since then to ensure currency and relevance for the profession, consumers of speech pathology services and the broader community. A project is currently underway to review the code, with the next version to be published in 2020. A big thank you to the 750 members who contributed to the member survey undertaken in March. The responses were thoughtful and provide rich information for the project sub-

Member focus groups:

State

Date

Queensland – National Conference in Brisbane

Tuesday 4 June

South Australia

Wednesday 26 June

Tasmania

Tuesday 2 July Monday 22 July Monday 29 July Tuesday 30 July

Western Australia

ACT NSW

Rural and remote videoconferences

Monday 19 August Thursday 29 August Monday 9 September

Northern Territory

The Victorian Member Focus Group gathered at National Office in May.

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Ethics

The ethics mailbag will feature responses to questions or discussion on hot topics to help you navigate ethical practice of being a speech pathologist. We want to have a conversation about the issues you are experiencing in your daily practice and help you navigate through everyday ethical challenges. Please identify topics that are interesting and relevant to you and then have a chat with us - email us your questions, ideas and responses to our ethical scenario! Submit your questions or hot button topics to ethics@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au August edition Mailbag deadline: 1 July 2019 Members can now write in with questions and thoughts on anything ethics related! Welcome to Speak Out’s newest column the ETHICS MAILBAG!

This issue... Testimonials

• Photos of individuals where intervention goals are discussed; • Interaction with reviews left on third party websites, such as White Coat, Google or Word of Mouth. Questions? We have some great resources on the Advertising Policy page in the Members’ ethics section of the SPA website, including a FAQ and a FREE webinar on Ethical and Effective Marketing of your private practice! Still have questions? Get in touch! August issue... Next issue we will continue the theme of social media and talk about posting photos of clients. Have a look at the scenario below and let us know; what are your thoughts on this? Do you do it? Why/why not? Scenario “I am in the process of starting up my own business, we have a website, and Facebook page and I’m thinking about an Instagram page too. I’d like to celebrate the individuals I work with and their achievements. What are my ethical responsibilities here?” Send your questions and hot topics to ethics@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Did you know that one of the most common misunderstandings about the SPA Advertising Policy is about Facebook ratings and reviews? Social media has changed the way we interact with each other, both personally and professionally. This has made us more personally linked with the people we provide professional services to, however, this is a more informal way of interacting than the way we might ordinarily engage if we were face-to-face. While it is nice to hear that we are doing a good job, asking for statements to this effect could put the individuals we work with in an uncomfortable position. It is likely they have an ongoing relationship with us, that they want to maintain, after all! Even if a testimonial is unsolicited, the person may change their mind over time, or your working relationship might be compromised by the individual wanting special treatment or favours in return. As speech pathologists we are accurate and truthful in our communication and the information we choose to make public. Since ratings and reviews on Facebook are based on opinions, not facts, they are not statements that are applicable to all clients. Testimonials could take a couple of different forms, apart from Facebook reviews, such as: • Quotes from emails, feedback forms, or similar, used to promote businesses; • Videos where individuals you work with discuss their experiences;

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Ethics

Consider this scenario... Estela is a new graduate, brimming with enthusiasm and current knowledge of speech pathology theory and the latest evidence for a range of interventions. Estela had a student placement in a private practice in her home town and at the end of the placement Kora, the owner, approached her to start discussions about possibly working in the practice. Estela is amazed that she could be so lucky – a job may be falling in her lap! Estela calls Kora and organises a meeting to discuss plans for the job. The meeting goes well, Estela leaves with a contract and a start date and an understanding that she will initially see clients with less complex presentations while she “finds her feet”. Kora seems to be excited too, as she has not employed anyone before and talked about how she will enjoy having a colleague to work with. The discussion touched on Estela’s conditions of employment with reference to allowing time for reading and preparation, and that Kora will observe a few sessions that Estela chooses, to provide feedback and support. 6 weeks later… Estela is demoralised. She has just emailed Kora again to try to find a time to meet with her. Kora said she was doing a great job with her clients but that she doesn’t have any time available for a few weeks, so Estela should just “keep going the way she has been.” The email back to Estela did include a statement that has her worried. Kora wrote, “However, I do need to remind you that you should be seeing more clients in a day, to reach your KPI as agreed in your contract.” That comment was more formal than the rest of the email and Estela is worried that Kora may be leading up to disciplining her in some way. Estela feels like she is already working flat out! Her caseload includes clients with a wide range of difficulties that Productivity in private practice SPA support and resources

must be addressed, but she doesn’t have enough time to read up on them all. The promise of regular support and feedback from Kora has not materialised, and Estela is feeling out of her depth with some clients, as well as with time management. And now she needs to increase the number of appointments she has in a day…. Productivity – resources and support from SPA Productivity is a topic that many speech pathologists are keen to know about, as either an employer or employee, yet are unsure what is appropriate to discuss or where to start the conversation. When Estela calls National Office for advice and support she is very relieved to hear that it is appropriate for her to persevere with asking Kora for a time to meet, and that she can let Kora know that finding a time soon is very important. Estela is pleased to hear that there is information available for her to consider and use in discussions with Kora. Estela is assisted to develop a list of topics she can bring up in the meeting with Kora as well as some tips on how to go about that discussion. Topics for that meeting may be: • her workload including time to read, plan for sessions, prepare resources, why some clients take her more time to prepare for; • the mix of clients she is seeing; • her need for support from Kora, or an external supervisor; • scheduling supervision in the form of meetings and clinical observation; and, • professional development activities the business will support. Information available on the SPA website that may be useful for Estela to read and take to her discussion with Kora include: • The KPIs specified in her contract, i.e. what are the expectations of her employer, that Estela agreed to when signing the contract. • The SPA FAQ on productivity.

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• SPA supervision standards, particularly the section on standards for new graduates. • The SPA FAQ on supervision. Estela and Kora - ethical obligations in this scenario. As an employer, Kora should be conscious of how she determines KPIs and the level of support provided for her staff, according to their level of experience and the needs of the clients on their caseload. The SPA FAQ on productivity describes: “SPA does not specify productivity standards for a service or each individual speech pathologist within a service or practice because the amount of face-to-face time required to achieve an outcome will vary depending on a number of factors including: • The severity level of the disorders and individual needs of the patient population. • Complexity of overall caseload (i.e., some clients may be relatively simple to prepare for, whereas clients with complex communication needs may require extensive preparation and follow up. • Experience of practitioner i.e. a new graduate may take longer to prepare a session than a clinician with many years of experience. • Supervision and training needed by employee.” Kora can consider these factors (as well as others listed in the FAQ), and the structure and costs of her business to determine KPIs. She may consult the SPA FAQ on Determining a Schedule of Fees, to assist her to develop what is an appropriate expectation for Estela now, and how it can change as she gains more experience. Kora can also use the resources and information SPA has produced on professional supervision, including the supervision position statement, standards, and FAQ, to understand her ethical responsibility to support staff, particularly new graduates and early career speech pathologists: the benefits for clients, in receiving appropriate and timely interventions; for her business, in having well supported and happy staff in her practice. Estela also has ethical obligations to Kora her employer. She should demonstrate her professional integrity by bringing her concerns to Kora before they become overwhelming, and take the time to inform herself so that the discussion can be professional and productive. Both speech pathologists should strive to demonstrate their respect for each other in conversations regarding work place expectations and the professional support provided by an employer. Regular, open and timely discussions are needed to set and monitor fair workload and productivity targets, and identify supervision and supports available. While acknowledging that this can be an emotive topic for both, Estela and Kora should demonstrate they are cooperating to ensure the conversations are professional and ultimately have a positive outcome for each speech pathologist, the business, and ultimately clients.

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An estimated 1 in 10 school children suffer from hearing loss, which left undetected can lead to speech, learning and behavioural problems. The Sound Scouts hearing check is a simple way to identify if a child has a hearing issue, including listening difficulties in noise. The test incorporates the science of a hearing test in a fun interactive game. Evidence based, accessible and delivering immediate results, it’s the perfect in-clinic solution. The Sound Scouts App is now free to test all Australian school-aged children. Download it today.

www.soundscouts.com.au

Trish Johnson Manager, Ethics and Professional issues

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0004SSCT_SpeakOut_Ad_FIN.indd 1

14/5/19 10:31 am

Aged care

Focus on palliative care SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN SUPPORTING PEOPLE ACROSS ALL LIFE STAGES AND AGES WITH THEIR PALLIATIVE CARE NEEDS NOT JUST IN LATER LIFE! IT WAS NATIONAL PALLIATIVE CARE WEEK FROM 19-25 MAY AND THIS ISSUE WE HAVE GATHERED SOME FURTHER RESOURCES AND INFORMATION FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS INTERESTED IN THIS IMPORTANT SECTOR.

CareSearch & palliAGED CareSearch and palliAGED are online resources designed to help those needing relevant and trustworthy information and resources about palliative care. The websites are funded by the Australian Government as part of the National Palliative Care Program. CareSearch provides evidence-based palliative care information across the lifespan and across the health system, palliAGED provides that information for the aged care sector. In CareSearch, there are sections designed specifically for speech pathologists, allied health, health professionals and patients, carers, and families. The sections on allied health evidence, finding evidence, and education host information and resources that support evidence- based practice. The palliAGED website hosts an evidence centre and a practice centre. Each of the topics covered in the evidence centre has a companion page helping you apply evidence in your practice. All material in the website has been checked for quality by Australian health professionals. Pages can be read online or they can be printed and read later. Visit the CareSearch website www.caresearch.com.au/ caresearch/Default.aspx Palliative care resources

Advance Care Planning Australia This site brings together a wealth of information around the area of advance care planning, including a dedicated page for health workers accessed here https://www. advancecareplanning.org.au/for-health-and-care- workers ELDAC - End of Life Directions for Aged Care https://www.eldac.com.au This site provides information, guidance, and resources to health professionals and aged care workers to support palliative care and advance care planning to improve the care of older Australians. There are a number of toolkits available – including for home care, residential aged care and legal areas. The legal toolkit for example has a number of resources, including an overview of End of Life Law in Australia. End of Life Law for Clinicians If you have a question relating to the law as it relates to topics such as capacity and consent, to medical treatment, you might be interested in this website, available here https://end-of-life.qut.edu.au There has also recently been online training modules released which can be accessed through the Palliative Care Education and Training Collaborative page located here: https://palliativecareeducation.com.au/ course/index.php?categoryid=5 This has been designed for doctors and medical students but noted to be of potential interest to allied health professionals. This page also has resources from PEPA (Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach) and PCC4U (Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates) https:// palliativecareeducation.com.au/login/index.php Links to these resources are also available on the Ageing and Aged care webpage of the Speech Pathology Australia website. Kym Torresi Senior Advisor Aged Care agedcare@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au 1300 368 835

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