Speak Out
October 2014
7
August 2014 Board
Meeting Report
The third
Board meeting for 2014 was held
on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August 2014.
The meeting was preceded by Board
Governance Training, facilitated by
Allen Blewitt, Managing Director, Allen
Blewitt & Associates Pty Ltd. The training
provided new Directors with an insight into
Board Governance, while extending the
understanding and knowledge of standing
Directors.
Some highlights from the meeting include:
•
Jade Cartwright
was invited to present
the
2015 National Tour
.
•
The Board was provided with a
preliminary internal report on the
Senate Inquiry and associated
hearings
.
•
The Board agreed to actively
pursue inclusion within the
National
Registration and Accreditation
Scheme
, with a further submission to
be prepared for consideration within the
upcoming review.
•
A comprehensive report on the
Disability
Project
, undertaken by Project Officer
C Olsson, was reviewed by the Board,
with extremely positive feedback
provided. This project has subsequently
been extended.
•
The Bachelor of Applied Science
(Speech Pathology) and Master of
Speech Language Pathology programs
at the
University of Sydney
were
granted
accreditation
, against CBOS
2011, for a period of five years.
•
A new policy
Code of Ethics –
Advertising
was approved by the Board,
in addition to a number of minor changes
to existing policies. Revised policies will
be made available on the website.
The next Board meeting will be held on 14–15
November 2014 and will include approval of
the 2015 budget.
Speech Pathology and Mental
Health –
talking mental health
Speech Pathology Australia
, in collaboration with key members
with expertise in the field, has recently held a number of high-level meetings
with government officers with regards to the essential role of speech
pathologists in mental health services.
Reinforcing the strong comorbidity of communication and swallowing
difficulties and mental illness, we have aimed to highlight the importance
of speech pathologists as part of mental health teams within adult mental
health settings, child and adolescent (youth) mental health services, and
within the community. While the Senate Inquiry and ICP2014 activities have
been a backdrop to these meetings, the focus of the meetings at this time is
a current review of mental health programs and services being conducted
by the National Mental Health Commission (NHMC). A report is due on 30
November and findings are likely to articulate into the National Mental Health
Strategy and future versions of the National Mental Health Plan.
Meetings to date include the following:
Dr Bennie Ng
, Senior Health Advisor to the Hon Tony Abbott,
Prime Minister
Rebecca Halpin
, Mental Health Advisor to the Hon Peter Dutton,
Minister of Health
John Feneley
, Commissioner of NSW Mental Health Commission
David Butt
, CEO, National Mental Health Commission.
Members with extensive experience in mental health practice –
Mary Woodward, Natalie Albores and Narelle Anger – attended these
meetings alongside Gail Mulcair, CEO, Speech Pathology Australia.
Their experience and knowledge of the communication and dysphagia
difficulties of individuals with a range of mental illnesses, and the significant
gaps in providing speech pathology services to this population, was
invaluable in advocating for improved access to speech pathology across
Australia. In several meetings, the link with justice services was also clearly
made and the need for speech pathology in working with young offenders,
and at other points across the justice system, reinforced. Continued
lobbying will occur and an update on the outcomes of the NHMC Review
of Mental Health Services and Programs will be communicated to members
later this year.
Gail Mulcair
Chief Executive Officer
Speech Pathology
Australia members
Mary Woodward
and Natalie Albores
with Rebecca
Halpin (centre),
Mental Health
Advisor to the Hon
Peter Dutton.
