Speak Out April 2016

BRANCH news northern territory

A day in the life of a Speech Pathologist in the remote top end

Speech Pathology services in the top end reach far and wide, to the smallest and most remote communities in the Northern Territory. Working as a Speech Pathologist in remote communities is perhaps one of, if not the most; rewarding, challenging, and diverse Speech Pathology roles anyone could dream of. The opportunities that arise from visiting remote communities and immersing yourself in the culture and language are endless. The challenges are also many; dust, flies, midges, cyclones, crocs, cheeky dogs, monsoons and bumpy flights on very small planes, but really they just add adventure. In order to cover such a large area the service employs a Key Contact model. The key contacts are generally physiotherapists or occupational therapists who take on a generalist, transdisciplinary role and are allocated one large community or two to three smaller communities which they visit regularly. The speech pathologists support the key contacts of several allocated communities with all communication and feeding concerns for eligible clients. The typical remote community visit starts with the key contact and myself boarding a small ten seater plane to then arrive on a rough, red dirt runway of a community of 50 or so people all living within eight houses situated among the bush. In my bag of tricks I may have a bottle of bubbles, a ball, photos of common bush animals, a folder of regularly used adult and paediatric screening tools and checklists, as well as anything available that has been translated into the particular local language that we may have created, just in case. Often we locate the client and their family sitting under a large tree in front of the house, on an old sheet. This becomes the clinic room. In some instances a family member becomes the interpreter so that culturally appropriate goals, needs and concerns can be discussed with the whole family. Parents, grandparents, cousins and aunties all have input into the care and plan for the client. All information, strategies and programs must be practical for the environment and resources available, and be meaningful for the family. Everything is presented to the clients and families orally and is supported by the key contact until I am

scheduled to visit again to reasses. Moving between aged care, paediatric disability and adult disability throughout the day keeps you on your toes and your mind racing to pull best practice, functionality and cultural needs together into an appropriate individualised program for each client in the community at the time. Providing a service and seeing improvements in client's function and daily lives against so many external challenges highlights the resourcefulness of the clients and communities and makes it all worthwhile. Back on the little plane for the often bumpy flight home, case notes and clinical reflection regarding the day’s outcomes and plans are recorded before touch down and the trip home to recuperate from the heat.

Kate Pollard NT Speech Pathologist

BRANCH news south australia

On Wednesday 2 March a group of 16 met in Adelaide to participate in the Speech Pathology 2030 Conversations about the future hosted by SA Branch Executive Committee Chair Cathy Clark. The group was a diverse mix of clinical educators, new graduates, re-entry speech pathologists and clinicians with experience ranging from three to thirty plus years in the profession! Both adult and paediatric, public and private practice were well represented. Conversations in SA

Futures workshop on Friday 15 April, 9 – 1pm to categorise the key concepts emerging from the prior stages. If you would like further information about this event, please do not hesitate to check out the website: www. speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/makingfutureshappen or contact me at sacpd@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Jessica Baggallay Vice Chair, South Australian Executive Committee

We are all looking forward to attending the Imagining Possible

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Speak Out April 2016

Speech Pathology Australia