Speak Out June 2020

Branch News

QLD

QLD 2175 members as at March 2020

Gold Coast de-brief via Zoom A social gathering for Gold Coast SLPs (SPA members and non-members) was planned for late March. The venue was booked, the event was to be called ‘Drinks and Debrief’ but before a single invitation was sent, the COVID-19 restrictions kicked in and meant everything had to be put on hold. For many, the restrictions brought a steep, and often stressful learning curve as they raced to adapt service delivery from face-to-face to, where possible, online. SPA was very helpful as was a lot of "chat" on SLP Facebook pages. There was; however, some local requests to "tune in" with colleagues, especially from the private practitioner community. This was in spite of the fact that this group was already quite well connected via email, Facebook and, previously, in person meetings. As a result, a very modified ‘De brief’ event was organised via Zoom for anyone in private practice and in what’s also known as GOSPIPP. Names were gathered and a date set for early April. We had 18 participants on the night and the session lasted about 80 minutes. One person acted as MC in order to facilitate discussion, keep an eye on time and bring attention to any written comments in the chat section. We also started with a quick intro from each participant. There was lots of sharing of ideas, resources and even a short video of a group session. Best of all was the palpable level of support and encouragement at a time when many felt out of their comfort zone. It certainly helped that many of us knew each other but it also proved welcoming for new speech pathologists who hadn’t been part of the group before. Feedback afterwards was extremely positive and we’re already planning a similar event in the near future.

The last 'Peeps in the Pub' for metro PPMN for a while

Last year, QLD PPMN Metropolitan Branch started their Peeps in the Pub, which has proved to be quite popular with members. Our venue was chosen to be slightly more suburban, enabling those more local to the venue to attend. Our last meeting in March was just prior to COVID-19 social isolation and shut down, so it was all the more special to catch up with old friends, colleagues and meet new members. Conversation centred around who was working where, discussion around NDIS and inservice programs and workshops completed or booked. Even at that stage, there was no thought of Co-Vid, Telehealth service expansion, shutting down our rooms or home schooling children. This Thursday we are about to hold our first ever Virtual PPMN – on Zoom and it looks like might be a popular ongoing choice for many in private practice wanting to touch base with colleagues, sharing their suggestions for Telehealth Success. Let’s hope things get back to "normal" sooner rather than later Sue Park and Bronwyn Sutton QLD PPMN Branch reps

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June 2020 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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