Speak Out October 2018

Association news

BOARD MEETING REPORT AUGUST 2018

The third Board meeting for 2018 was held in Melbourne on 10–11 August 2018. Some of the highlights of this meeting are presented below. Strategic priorities Work continues to progress items within the Association’s 2017- 2019 strategic plan, with the Board reviewing progress. Recommendations on priority areas proposed by the staff team for the next period were agreed to by the Board, and include: • Service Mapping and Cost Benefit Analysis • Consumer decision making project Staff at National Office recently participated in Communication Access training ahead of a Communication Access audit to be undertaken by SCOPE Victoria. Advocacy efforts continue in relation to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with the current focus including Dysphagia and Mealtime Supports and the NDIA pricing review. Support was provided to progress a number of key initiatives, including: • A project aimed at developing information for consumers and parents to assist them in understanding the role of Speech pathologists and allied health assistants: Working together under the NDIS framework. • An exhibition stand at the NDIS and Mental Health Conference Exhibition. • Engagement of a Research Assistant to complete a Communication Access Literature Review. Review of potential risks for the Association Each Board meeting there is a review of the risk register to discuss identified risks and the steps to mitigate these risks. Of note, is the potential risks arising from Government policy that may be adverse to the objectives of the Association, with current risks noted in relation to the Review of Medicare (MBS) items, and matters relating to the NDIS, namely the Independent Pricing Review and eligibility decisions concerning Dysphagia and Mealtime Supports. The current actions being undertaken to mitigate these risks and support positive outcomes were discussed. A new identified risk to the profession’s reputation, (posed by students qualifying from non-accredited speech pathology programs commencing practice, despite not being eligible for Speech Pathology Australia membership) was acknowledged, with the Board agreeing to explore steps to mitigate this risk, including workplace and public education. By-laws and policies The Board approved changes to By-Law 2013-06, Classes of Membership to ensure the by-law aligns with recent changes to the Constitution. In addition, a number of key policies were

reviewed and will be made available on the Association’s website shortly, including: 1.11 Use of Association Name and Logo 2.01 Life Membership 2.02 Fellowship 2.03 Certified Practising Membership

2.04 Non-Practising Membership 2.05 Full time Postgraduate Study

2.06 Student Membership 2.09 Re-Entry Membership 2.10 Alumnus Membership

2.11 Membership Fee Schedule 2.12 Application for Membership 4.13 Board Delegation of Authority 7.04 Fellowship Application and Nominations 10.02 Re-entry to Practising Membership 17.04 Systems and Data Security

Following a noticeable increase in members acting outside of Speech Pathology Australia’s advertising policy, the Association has been monitoring members’ social media channels. Revisions to Policy 3.03, Code of Ethics – Advertising and the associated Frequently Asked Questions are also underway. Professional standards The establishment of the Professional Standards Advisory Committee, with the first inaugural meeting held, was noted. Progress from early consultation on the Review of the Competency Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) was also noted. The Board acknowledged the recent release of ASHA’s Facilitated Communication Position Statement, with this statement aligning with Speech Pathology Australia’s AAC Clinical Guideline. It was noted this had been promoted through social media and it was agreed this will also be communicated to members and the general public via the Association’s Facebook. The Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology and Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology Honours programs at Charles Sturt University were provided with full accreditation, against CBOS 2011, for a period of five years. Publications The Board noted the appointment IJSLP Associate Editor Dr Ling-Yu Guo (Hugo), Associate Professor, Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. The Board also noted the appointment of Dr Jae-Huyn Kim, as incoming editor of JCPSLP. The Board also expressed its thanks to current editor, Leigha Dark, for her contribution to the quality of JCPSLP, with her term to conclude in November this year.

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October 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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