WEDNESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2020

ESSA has not received any more advice today from the Department of Health and Human Services. Please appreciate that detailed guidance takes time to draft.

We have some new advice from the Australian Government Department of Health and details of the new worker permit system for metro Melbourne.

We appreciate this is a time of great uncertainty for you and our best advice is that to err on the side of caution if you are unsure of anything.


STOP! Before you see a client…..
We have unfortunately heard of cases where clients have not disclosed that they are awaiting COVID-19 test results or are in fact positive. This is very concerning.

Remember both you and your client have a responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19. As a health care worker, you should outline the safety steps you have taken to protect people, and you have a right to expect your clients will as well.

ESSA recommends all clients be asked questions about any symptoms before commencing a service and record this information in your case notes. The Department of Health Allied Health Receptionist Checklist is a good tool to use. Please note, in Victoria new requirements for mandatory PPE supersede the advice in this checklist (i.e. health workers must wear eye shield and face covering).

Our advice from earlier in the week is still valid: Please transition as many clients as practical to telehealth. Minimise travel for both yourself and your clients.


Stage 4 Metro Melbourne: Work Permits for essential workers
You may be stopped by police and queried about the purpose for your travel and work. To assist you in providing evidence that you are an essential health worker, ESSA recommend four documents:
1. Carry a hard copy (if you can) of the completed work permit form – click here for the form.

2. Understand which dot point in the HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE section on page 6 of the restricted industries best applies to you and have a link to this document on your phone and be able to show police the exemption for allied health here:

• All health services provided within and to support a hospital (public and private), registered community health service, publicly funded health services (i.e. AOD and other services), blood bank and an aged care setting including student placements.
• Community based services which are based on a referral from a registered medical practitioner (General practitioner and/or medical specialist). This includes all clinical and allied health services.
• Community based services which are required to ensure the health, safety and well-being of vulnerable people (defined by the DHHS here).

3. Carry your ESSA accreditation certificate with you – you can access this in your ESSA My Account.

4. You can also refer to the VIC Health website where exercise physiologists are listed as allied health professionals – click here.


Stage 4 Metro Melbourne – Travel for Clients
Wherever practical, minimise travel for clients and transition them to telehealth. Ask them to carry a copy of their referral with them and any evidence that says they are a vulnerable client if they fall into that category.


Further clarification on what services are allowed
Under stage 4 restrictions (metro Melbourne), health services provided in a registered community health setting or an aged care setting as well as community based services which are required to ensure the health, safety and well-being of vulnerable people can remain open with a COVID-safe plan.

The Victorian Government indicates that vulnerable people include people who are actively managing chronic conditions and frailty, people experiencing mental health, people with a disability and people living in residential facilities. Under this guidance, AEPs can continue to accept referrals via normal referral channels and deliver supports to clients eligible for allied health under the NDIS, Commonwealth Home Support Program, Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care program.

Again, look to minimise the number of in-person services you deliver.

Clients with a referral from a GP or medical specialist can be seen in-person if the treatment is deemed clinically necessary, absolutely essential and critical. The referral does not need to have been made for a compensable scheme (i.e. if the client can pay privately) but the referral needs to be a current referral or within the past 12 months.

TAC and Workcover – We have no specific guidance on services provided here.


Training on face shield use
The Australian Government Department of Health has published a new guide on face shield use. In addition to the requirement for all Victorian aged care workers to wear face masks, aged care workers in Victorian residential aged care facilities are now advised to wear face shields as a precautionary measure.

When worn together with a properly fitted surgical mask, face shields offer protection from contamination to others, as well as to the wearer.

The training guide on face shield use contains instructions on how to safely put on and take off (donn and doff) a face shield, as well as cleaning and disinfecting instructions.


Home visits
Only services with a referral can be provided on site. A reminder to use your clinical judgment to determine whether in-person services are clinically necessary at this time.

All home visits must adhere to social distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene (washing hands, sanitising hands and equipment) and wear PPE.