Speak Out October 2016

NDIS

Speech Pathology Australia provides a representative voice to governments on issues which impact on the professional practice and service delivery of the speech pathology profession. For example, risks to the development of a viable speech pathology NDIS market, and impacts on service access for consumers were the key messages that we took forward to the Australian Government and the NDIA in relation to the recent problems with the NDIS Portal. Speech Pathology Australia is not the appropriate organisation to represent individual members in areas such as business or industrial issues more generally. If you think that your issue has implications for professional practice and service delivery and might impact on other speech pathologists but you’re not sure, contact the advisors at National Office to establish where the issue lies. Guidelines for “managing up” issues with government departments or services • Put your feedback in writing to the relevant department/ organisation using their complaints and feedback system. • Document what you have done, the responses you have been provided, including dates and the names and affiliations of anyone you have contact with. Keep a record of the action you have taken in an attempt to obtain a resolution. The more detail you record – the better! • If your issue hasn’t been adequately resolved, you may be able to seek help through an ombudsman. Before an ombudsman would take up your issue they would expect that you have followed up your initial complaint and given the agency/organisation an opportunity to respond. You will need to show that you have exhausted all avenues of complaint with the agency/organisation first. • Contacts for the state and territory and the Commonwealth Ombudsmen are available at www. ombudsman.gov.au • Any citizen is also able to write and seek a meeting with their state or federal local members of parliament or the relevant minister and shadow minister. Information about the state and federal government ministers is available on the different government webpages. Try to work out first if your issue is the responsibility of a federal or state government so that you are talking to someone who can make a difference for you. Generally, hospitals, education and justice issues are the responsibility of state/territory governments and the MBS, NDIS and aged care is the Australian Government. What YOU can do when things go awry with government

While it has unfortunately come at considerable personal and financial cost to many of our members, we are confident that the NDIA now has a greater understanding that speech pathologists in private practice are significant and important new entrants to the service provision “marketplace” of the NDIS. As such, it is critical that we be considered carefully in the design of the NDIS if participants are to have true control and choice for the services they need. Our role in the NDIS and recent problems with payments were discussed by all state, territory and federal ministers for disability at the recent Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council meeting. The NDIA provides updates on it website as well as via emails to providers, and suggests that providers experiencing difficulties with the Portal phone the NDIS provider support on 1800 800 110, in the first instance. The NDIS also has a complaints and feedback process. Information is available at www.ndis.gov.au/ about-us/contact-us/feedback-complaints.html Please contact either Cathy or Ronelle at National Office if you experience ongoing difficulties resulting from the functionality of the MyPlace portal and the NDIS supports. It is important that our members working in the dynamic and fast-changing sector, that is the NDIS, keep our Association informed about what is really happening “on the ground” so that we can meaningfully and successfully advocate with governments on your behalf.

Cathy Olsson National Disability Advisor Ronelle Hutchinson Manager Policy and Advocacy

2018 National Conference Adelaide Call for 2018 conference planning committee

The application should be submitted to Pamela Richards, SPA National Conference Manager via email conference@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au .

Speech Pathology Australia is now calling for expressions of interest from South Australian members to join the 2018 conference planning committee. Expressions of interest should include a cover letter stating relevant experience and a curriculum vitae to support the application.

Applications close Friday 28 October 2016.

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October 2016 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out