Speak Out June 2020

in practice

Returning to in-person work

As a result of COVID-19, many speech pathologists have had significant changes in their workplaces and many members have ceased providing any services in-person for the current time. With the easing of restrictions, it is likely workplaces will want to re-start in-person sessions across a range of settings. All speech pathologists, regardless of their workplace, need to be proactive in considering how they will manage this transition process. Successfully returning to in-person work as restrictions around COVID-19 ease will require robust policies and procedures to be in place to support business and employees. All staff members in a workplace will need to be aware of this information in order to minimise the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 and protect staff and clients. Considerations for provision of services to clients The Association has information on the COVID-19 News and Information section on the SPA website to support and guide all speech pathologists to do everything reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk to themselves, clients and colleagues of contracting COVID-19 when providing in-person services. With the support of an advisory panel, the Association has developed Guidance for speech pathologists around service delivery and clinical procedures and infection prevention and control. This document is being regularly updated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as information available increases and restrictions ease. Speech Pathology Australia is aware that many members are also looking for supports to make decisions about how they deliver speech pathology services across a range of clincial areas and practice settings, particularly as moving back to more services being provided in-person. The Association is also aware that there is no "one size fits all advice" that can be provided regarding how members should be managing service delivery in their workplace. Therefore, the Speech Pathology Australia Risk Assessment Tool (COVID-19) has been designed to assist speech pathologists to assess the number and type of risk factors for transmission of COVID- 19 that may be present in any in-person clinical scenario. It is not a decision-making tool but will support members to determine whether to see a client in the context they have described and assist to identify risk factors in a scenario. Upon completion of the tool, members will be emailed a report listing the risks identified in this tool along with recommendations for risk management. To access the tool and for more information see: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au > About Us > COVID-19 News and Information > Risk Assessment Tool The development of this tool has been informed by an Advisory Panel, recently convened to assist the Association and to provide guidance for speech pathologists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel includes representatives working across a range of clinical areas and practice settings. The Association thanks the members of the advisory panel involved in the development of this tool including: Cate Barrett, Patricia Bradd, Julie Cichero, Michelle Cimoli, Gaenor Dixon, Bernadette Dutton,

Shari Fuller, Nicky Graham, Bronwyn Hemsley, Tracy Kelly, Christine Kendall, Barbara Lyndon, Cate Madill, Stella Martin, Kathryn McKinley, Emma McLaughlin, Andrea Murray, Bernadette O’Connor, David O'Connor, Christopher Payten, Debra Phyland, Gloria Staios, Hannah Thompson, Liz Ward, Kelly Weir, Denise West. Consideration of workplace responsibilities Workplaces will need to undertake a risk assessment and develop a transition plan that is tailored to individual circumstances. Below are some useful resources: WorkPlacePLUS have written checklists for both employees and employers to help them understand what should be in place to support a return to the workplace and Anna Pannuzzo from WorkPlacePLUS participated in a webisode around returning to the workplace. These resources can be found on the SPA website > COVID-19 News and Information > Returning to Work The Safe Work Australia website has a wealth of information and resources including: The COVID-19 Information for workplaces - an information hub of work health and safety (WHS) guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to help manage health and safety risks posed by COVID-19 across a range of industries including aged care, early childhood and education; education and training, health care, NDIS and in-home services. Information and resources have been tailored for: • employers, small business and workers • the industry they work in, and • the health and safety topic that they would like information on. Workplace checklists to help employers identify how they can keep workers safe and include fact sheets about physical distancing, cleaning and implementing good hygiene measures. What do I need to do to keep my workers safe and limit the spread of COVID-19? - a fact sheet that includes links to signs and posters that can be used in a workplace e.g. hand washing; stopping the spread; keeping mentally healthy, physical distancing etc.; environmental cleaning and disinfection principles and information related to self-isolation and physical distancing . The Department of Health have produced an information sheet for employers about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for health care and residential care workers

Nichola Harris Manager Professional Practice Trish Johnson Manager, Ethics and Professional Issues Kym Torresi Senior Advisor Aged Care

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June 2020 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out