FRIDAY, 12 JUNE 2020
New – ESSA Fact Sheet COVID Safe Planning
ESSA has developed a Fact Sheet to help businesses develop COVID Safe Plans which:
- were required to close under COVID restrictions and
- operate in fitness/indoor recreation centres, sport, yoga/non-clinical Pilates studios and swimming pools).
Every state and territory has different requirements for COVID Safe Plans and we have included these in this Fact Sheet. There are also tips to help exercise physiology businesses develop COVID Safe plans.
Update on the three-stage recovery plan for COVID-19 for Exercise & Sport Science (ESSA) members
Read the most current guidance on the relaxation of restrictions for non-essential services (e.g. large gyms, fitness centres, swimming pools and outdoor classes).
Where a state or territory has moved to Stage 2 or Stage 3, then that state’s or territory’s requirements over-rides ESSA’s recommendations for safe indoor overall numbers and group numbers. State or territory requirements for non-essential businesses are always subject to social distancing requirements.
Please note, some states and territories require you to complete and display a COVID-19 Safe Plan specific for your jurisdiction. Others require you to seek approval from a government authority.
A reminder to use your professional judgement when determining the risk of both in-person services and teleservices and the numbers of clients in a facility or a group.
Keep this guide as your go-to document for all the latest on what you can and cannot do. Read our plan to help you navigate the latest COVID-19 policies here.
NDIS COVID19 Update
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Stuart Robert, has announced the first stages of a post-coronavirus NDIS, following a review of temporary measures to support participants and disability providers during the pandemic.
On recommendation from the review, the following will apply from 1 July 2020:
- removal of temporary 10 per cent price loading on certain core and capacity building supports;
- definition of cancellation period is reduced from 10 days to levels under the previous policy
Minister Robert has also advised that recovery of the advance payment to providers will commence on 1 October 2020, via six equal monthly instalments.
Participant focused coronavirus response measures, including offering alternatives for face-to-face planning meetings to participants, plan extensions for up to 24 months following review and flexible use of funds to purchase low cost assistive technology, will remain in place until further reviews are completed.
ESSA wrote to Minister Robert in April 2020 and highlighted how the approach adopted for recovering advanced payments may impact on the future financial sustainability of NDIS providers. We will seek clarification from the NDIA about the conditions of repayment.
ESSA notes the NDIS Annual Price Review Report May 2020 makes reference to the provision of the temporary 10% COVID-19 Loading when recommending that the price limits for therapy services should not be indexed until July 2021. ESSA has flagged concerns about indexation with Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and will work collaboratively with AHPA to address these concerns with the NDIA.
Questions and concerns relating to the NDIS can be directed to [email protected] .
Further 5 million masks for Primary Health
The Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP announced on 9 June 2020 that the Government has received 160 million masks ahead of schedule to the National Medical Stockpile. The Government also indicated that it will be allocating a further 5 million masks for primary health including 1.5 million masks for allied health and 1.5 million masks for aged care.
To place an order for masks, please refer to our PHN contact guide published in our 22 May 2020 Communique. To watch how to wear PPE, look at this PPE video for allied health workers.
Department of Health COVID-19 Primary Care and Allied Health Webinar – 12 June 2020 FAQs
Watch the recording of this webinar here.
Answers to these questions from the webinar of 28 May 2020 are available.
1. Question: If a patient is treated face to face (with hand hygiene and face shields) then this patient tests positive to COVID19 following this appointment, is there a set of procedures that need to take place?
2. Question: Within the ACFI framework, is there a validation downgrade risk for pain management treatment that have not been able to occur because of COVID risk management practices?
3. Question: The online COVID training suggests less travel of aerosol particles compared to published research papers. Why is this?
4. Question: Will the government monitor the cost of PPE and be charge of distributing them reasonably for health care workers? Some of the suppliers increased price dramatically.
5. Question: Doing home visits for a client e.g. vulnerable person 70yrs older Or has chronic respiratory disease, should a face mask or shield be worn given there aren’t cases of asymptomatic people in community?
6. Question: In the case of COVID recovered people should PPE be worn?
7. Question: What advice will be provided to consumers to support them to understand why some AHPs may choose to recommence F2F services and why some will want to continue to deliver services via telehealth?
8. Question: Can you recommend targeted screening checklists to do with parents before undertaking a videoconference session, with a focus upon screening for Domestic and Family Violence risk?
9. Question: Will some telehealth services remain post COVID as this approach has worked really well for a number of providers.
ESSA anticipates the next webinar will be on Thursday 25 June 2020.
Allied health COVID Safe resources
Have Your Say on Australian Government COVID-19 Communications
Department of Health communications team is seeking feedback to inform future communications activities in relation to COVID-19. Please complete this survey by 16 June 2020 and add how you would like to see allied health information provided.
Resources
Free digital mentoring program
A non-profit organisation called Leep has a free digital mentoring program via phone or video chat for those who are isolated and lacking basic digital skills during the COVID-19 crisis. By mobilising Leep’s proven volunteer powered Tech Mate program, vulnerable Australians will have access to online tech support providing guidance and inclusion on a variety of topics.
Please share this resource with any clients you might have that are lacking basic digital skills. Clients can call Leep on 1300 163 106 to make an appointment.
State News
WA
New $444 million housing stimulus for Western Australia
This stimulus includes a $20,000 Building Bonus grants provided to homebuyers who sign up before December 31 2020 to build new houses or purchase a new property in a single tier development (such as a townhouse) prior to construction finishing.
CPD
Free Webinar series from Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA)
Note, these events are only for community services organisations, with a focus on disability service providers.
A series of four Building Financial Resilience webinars focussed on four key areas:
ICYMI – Australian Government subsidised short online courses at higher education levels
Universities and non-university higher education providers are offering short online courses for new students in fields of national priority such as teaching, health, science, and information technology that can be offered for six months from May 2020.
All of these courses are heavily subisided by the Australian Government. Most courses start in the second Semester of 2020. Study can take place at Australian Qualification Level (AQF) level 5 (Diploma) to 9 (Masters Degree), and must be offered online to support students in isolation. More information here.
Free online learning for small businesses
Free short courses, online events and resources from Victoria’s education providers and industry experts here including:
- how to manage your cash flow better
- how to market your business.
COVID-19 Research
Webinar: “Resuming laboratory testing with human participants”. On 27 May 2020, Mike Tipton chaired a session for more than 650 physiologists from over 30 countries about the steps laboratories could take to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in trials involving humans to both staff and participants.
Contributors: Prof Mike Tipton (Chair), Prof Carolyn Greig, Prof Ben Levine, Mr Geoff Long, Prof Igor Mekjavic, Prof Hugh Montgomery, Dr Paddy Morgan, Dr Dan Roiz de Sa, Dr Matt Wilkes, Prof Jennie Wilson
Mental Health
News Articles
5 June, 2020 “How to maintain a slower pace of life after lockdown”, The Conversation
5 June, 2020 “Pandemic has impacted on women most significantly”, Sydney Morning Herald
5 June, 2020 “Will It Be A Tele-Future?”, Medical Forum
8 June, 2020 - Media Release from The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Education: A return to the Child Care Subsidy
The temporary Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package, introduced on 6 April will cease on 12 July 2020 resulting in the end of fee-free childcare for Australian families.
9 June 2020 –“Coronavirus: Telehealth expansion to remain post-pandemic”, The Canberra Times
The Minister for Health indicated the government was looking to continue access to subsidised telehealth appointments for GP and psychology services.
"We're looking to keep telehealth on a permanent basis going forward," Mr Hunt said.
ESSA Note – We are working with Allied Health Professions Australia to support the retention of telehealth items for allied health beyond COVID-19.
9 June, 2020 “REWORK: Flexing into online future”, Westpac Wire on the founder and CEO of NSW yoga and pilates business, BodyMindLife and his transition to becoming a content production house during COVID-19.
10 June, 2020 – “Working out with my kids is so good I'm never going back to the gym”, The Guardian Australia
11 June, 2020 - “Germy gyms: How to safely work out and avoid people's saliva droplets”, Sydney Morning Herald