WEDNESDAY, 1 APRIL 2020

Webinar updates for allied health providers – 2 April 2020

The Australian Department of Health is providing regular online updates about the government's COVID-19 response. Register for next update for allied health providers, tomorrow 2 April at 11:30am AEDT.

The recording from last week's allied health update is now available.

Telehealth - Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA)

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has confirmed today it will allow all DVA clients to access allied health services via telehealth, where clinically necessary. Updated fee schedules with requirements and new item codes are now available.

Phone consultations are available but should only be provided when video conferencing is unavailable. The relevant items are also claimable for telehealth treatment delivered to clients in hospital or residential aged care facilities, where prior approval is not required.

Treatment cycle arrangements continue to apply for DVA clients seeking to access allied health services through telephone and video conferencing at this time. Where required, clients may also access a GP referral or re-referral for clinically required allied health treatment via a telehealth consultation.

Please note these items are temporary and allied health providers can claim for telehealth items from today, 1 April 2020 until 30 September 2020. An assessment will be made by Government prior to 30 September to determine whether an extension of arrangements will be required.

ESSA will continue to advocate for the best interests of members and your community going forward.

The health and safety of your patient/client and staff is paramount and must come first.

We remind you to carefully consider whether it is clinically appropriate to deliver a service via telehealth including:

· Can the client access and successfully use the technology?

· How practical is it to provide the required treatment or therapy via telehealth?

· Is the physical location in which a client is accessing telehealth safe and effective for the treatment?

· Does the health professional have a plan in place to address and mitigate any potential risk to the client?

· Has the client provided informed consent to participate in the telehealth service?

You may find ESSA’s Tele-Practice Checklist and the supporting Tele-practice Policy Statement as useful tools to guide you on best practice.

Updated information for COVID-19 Business Owners’ page

The ESSA team has done considerable work on updating information for business owners. Please take the time to look at the consolidated information on the Business owners’ page here. Information is also available for each state government’s assistance measures for businesses.

Public Health and Emergency Declaration Orders

You can read the details of the order for your state here:

QLD
NSW
VIC Latest is Special Gazette No. S 169 Tuesday 31 March 2020
TAS
SA
WA
NT
ACT

These are the powers by which State governments are fining people for not following social distancing and stay at home rules.

Difference between JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments Not sure which scheme you are eligible for?

This article (published 31 March 2020) from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) will help clarify.

Don’t forget, if you are a sole trader or a business that wants to access the new wage subsidy scheme announced on Monday 30 March, 2020 then apply here.

Income support partner pay income test

Over the next six months the Government is temporarily expanding access to income support payments and establishing a Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight.

JobSeeker Payment is subject to a partner income test, and today the Government is temporarily relaxing the partner income test to ensure that an eligible person can receive the JobSeeker Payment, and associated Coronavirus Supplement, providing their partner earns less than $3,068 per fortnight, around $79,762 per annum.

The personal income test for individuals on JobSeeker Payment will still apply. More information here.

FAQs

Q. How many people can be in a waiting room?

The two persons in a waiting room rule applies unless there are segregated spaces (this includes reception staff).

Patients should be asked to contact reception / the practitioner when they arrive and wait in their car or at clear distance if outside until they receive an SMS, phone call to enter after the previous person has cleared the room.

Q. Where can I register for the surge workforces expected to be needed as COVID-19 cases peak?

Surge workforces are standby workforces that can be called in to boost the capacity of the health systems should cases from the virus escalate. Your admin staff may also be interested in applying.

Click on the following links that we have available. Please send us other links to state COVID-19 recruitment campaigns that you are aware of to [email protected]

QLD Allied Health Professionals - Expressions of Interest
TAS Allied Health Professional Fixed-term and Casual Employment Register

QLD Administration Support - Expressions of Interest
VIC Administrative, clerical and domestic staff
VIC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health workforce response – expressions of interest

Article

A good read: “Is your mental health deteriorating during the coronavirus pandemic? Here's what to look out for” published 30 March 2020 in The Conversation by Michaela Pascoe and Alexandra Parker, Victoria University.

Fact Sheet: COVID-19: Managing Your Mental Health Online During COVID-19 A fact sheet outlining various Australian, government-funded online, telephone and app-based mental health services.

Volunteering

Volunteering your time is an effective way to help others and to stay connected to your community. Despite the need for us to all stay at home, your skills and intellect can assist with a cause that is meaningful to you. If you have some spare time and have the capacity, then consider virtual volunteering opportunities via a dedicated Australian virtual volunteering website or Seek.

Foster a companion animal - Light Relief

Companion animal shelters across the nation are packed with animals looking for love, care, company and attention. While the social distancing requirements for COVID-19 have been estimated for around six months, if you are an animal lover, now could be the perfect time to foster a soul in need in between now and their forever home. It’s important you consider your long-term responsibilities in taking on a new family member, and fostering can be short or long-term.

Spending time with a companion animal is good for your mental health and if you exercise together, good for your physical health too. Check out Pet Rescue , Australian Animal Protection Society or the RSPCA to find out more.