THURSDAY, 6 AUGUST 2020

 
Further to our advice this morning on the Victorian Chapter Facebook group, we have received additional clarification throughout today.

We appreciate that this news is not what you or ESSA expected and the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions on behalf of ESSA is writing to the Victorian Chief Allied Health Office to protest the latest government direction.

You can help us strengthen our case by providing evidence of examples of critical care provided by exercise physiologists (under the DHHS definition) to the ESSA CEO, Anita Hobson-Powell on email [email protected] within the next 24 hours.



Clarification from DHHS – STAGE 4
They key message from the CAHO in Victoria to ESSA’s CEO today was that ESSA was to “reinforce the key public messages in respect of reducing movement, reducing the risk of transmission (by not seeing multiple clients / patients) and saving lives. We are in a state of disaster and people are dying. Its for 6 weeks only.”

The Permitted Work Premises document is now in law. Fines will apply to business and people who do not comply.

All face to face session MUST meeting the following criteria.
1) They are a DVA, NDIS, TAC or WorkCover client
2) The services MUST be needed to prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence necessitating escalation of care (e.g. a requirement for specialist input/review, an increase in care needs and/or alternate accommodation, avoiding a hospital admission or emergency department presentation).

If they don’t meet the above criteria you MUST moved to telehealth or wait until the end of stage 4.

ESSA will be providing evidence of examples of critical care provided by exercise physiologists with the MBS to DHHS (under the above definition), if you wish to provide ESSA with evidence please email [email protected].

Permitted Work Premises for the purposes of the Restricted Activity Directions (Restricted Areas)’ – effective as at 5 August 2020 11.59pm (version 1.0).

The document may also be found on the DHHS Business and industry stage 4 restrictions web page: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/business-industry-stage-4-restrictions-covid-19

Stage 4 restrictions are aligned to Victoria’s current State of Disaster and are understandably focused on saving and protecting the lives of all Victorian’s through restricting non-essential movement across the state.


FAQs – STAGE 4
Can I see Medicare clients face to face in private practice?
No. ESSA is looking to get this ruling changed.

Can I see private paying clients in private practice?
No

Can I see clients who have a referral from the GP or medical professional in private practice?
Only if client must meet both criteria:
1) They are a DVA, NDIS, TAC or WorkCover patient
2) The services MUST be needed to prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence necessitating escalation of care (e.g. a requirement for specialist input/review, an increase in care needs and/or alternate accommodation, avoiding a hospital admission or emergency department presentation).

Can I see clients if I work in registered Community base services?
Yes, if necessary. However, DHHS wants to minimise all face to face contact.

Can I travel to see clients?
Yes, if necessary. However, DHHS wants practitioners to minimise travel for clients

I am unsure how to set up my telepractice offerings?
ESSA has created a huge suite of support – click here.



PPE
Provision of ‘essential’ Allied Health services within a patient’s home environment should be interpreted as the equivalent of entering a clinical area and appropriate infection control/PPE guidance adhered to.

If completing more than one home visit within a single day, this is in effect a change of workplace and a full change of PPE should be instituted – including reassessment of the potential risk and required PPE tier for each individual patient/client.

Please refer to attached document for further details – ‘PPE guidance for Allied Health in Private Practice Settings’ .



COVID-Safe Plan update
Key messages for employers:
  • Under the Stage 4 coronavirus restrictions, there are new requirements for businesses and employers.
  • Certain services and industries will be able to remain operational and will be required by law to have a COVID Safe Plan that is regularly updated.
  • Every employer must complete their COVID Safe Plan by 11.59pm on 7 August 2020. This includes employers within the healthcare and social assistance sectors.
  • If your organisation has an existing formalised coronavirus pandemic plan, it is your responsibility to ensure that it addresses all the guidance and requirements outlined in the COVID Safe Plan template as a minimum.
  • While organisations are required to have a COVID Safe Plan, it is not a requirement to use the COVID Safe Plan template.
  • Organisations do not have to lodge your COVID Safe Plan with the Victorian Government. However, you may be required to provide the COVID Safe Plan to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or WorkSafe upon request or in the event of a confirmed positive case at your workplace.
  • The COVID Safe Plan template, guidance on how to prepare your COVID Safe Plan, and additional employer obligations for workplaces that remain open under the Stage 4 restrictions can be found at https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/covid-safe-business/covid-safe-plan
  • These requirements only apply to services subject to Stage 4 restrictions that are permitted to remain operational.