Speak Out Digital Edition June 2016

Association news Directors’ report - May

The second Board meeting for 2016 was held in Melbourne from 6 - 7 May 2016. The meeting was preceded by a Speech Pathology 2030 workshop with the Board, facilitated by Gretchen Young of Young Futures.

Framework for the profession is imminent. • Timely provision of support to members during the NDIS Roll-Out (Surge Phase) was discussed, with Speech Pathology Australia’s administrative staff to be provided with training and tools to assist members with their enquiries. • Extended scope of practice trials involving medication prescribing or administration in Queensland and potentially other states were discussed. For the Association to consider its position with respect to supporting the profession in this and other areas of extended practice, it was noted that significant scoping and consideration of the likely implications will be required. Initially this topic will be discussed further with the Heads of Speech Pathology programs at universities with respect to training requirements at undergraduate verses post- graduate levels. • Recommendations of the Transferability Project Phase Two were accepted by the Board. The current accreditation guidelines will now be revised to incorporate the new requirements. Guidelines will take effect in 2017. • The importance of members engaging with Primary Health Networks (PHNs) was discussed, with it acknowledged that a number of members are involved on Clinical Councils or Boards of PHNs. • The final drafts of the Evidence Based Speech Pathology Practice for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Guideline and Position Statement were approved, with these to be made available to the membership through the website shortly. • The theme for Speech Pathology Week 2016 was set as ‘Speech Pathology - creating futures’. Speech Pathology Week 2016 will also see the launch of the Speech Pathology 2030 – making futures happen final report.

Some highlights from the meeting include: • Ethics Board Chair, Dr Suze Leitao and Senior Member, Trish Bradd, were successfully re- appointed to the Ethics Board for a further three year term. • The Board agreed to implement a Fellowship and Awards Committee to review fellowship and award nominations. This Committee will replace the Fellowship Committee. Life nominations will continue to be considered by the Board of Directors. • In principle support (but not yet endorsement) was given to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) Framework . The Association will continue to monitor this project and the adoption of the framework by international speech pathology associations, the Dietitians Association of Australia and industry (see further details on page 5). • The Board agreed to support the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) in their federal election campaign. • The Association continues to pursue National Registration on behalf of the profession, with reports from the April COAG Health Council indicating that the Council is considering the admission of paramedics. This provided a platform for the Association to write to all Health Ministers and Shadow Ministers seeking meetings and consideration of inclusion of the speech pathology profession. • The National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions continues to meet with third party funders, employers and other bodies seeking recognition of their established self- regulation standards as comparable with NRAS standards and as a requirement for employment or provider status. • The Board acknowledged that the Government’s move into caretaker mode, will further delay the provision of a response to the Senate Inquiry into ‘the prevalence of different types of speech, language and communication disorders and speech pathology in Australia’. • Appointment of a Credentialing Project Officer to pursue the implementation of a Credentialing

The Board will next meet on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 August 2016.

Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

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June 2016 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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