APA ADVOCACY NEWS 19 November 2020 - Australian Physiotherapy ...
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APA ADVOCACY NEWS 19 November 2020
APA Advocacy News Table of Contents CLICK THROUGH TO THE RELEVANT SECTION Developing news ............................................................................................................................... 2 Mental health in the spotlight 2 With you all the way - early bird membership discounts end soon 2 Latest advocacy and emerging issues .............................................................................................. 4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 4 Aged care 4 Compensables 5 Digital health 6 Private Health Insurance 6 COVID-19 7 Paediatrics 7 Telehealth 8 Resources .........................................................................................................................................9 19 November 2020
APA Advocacy News
Developing news
Mental health in the spotlight With you all the way - early bird
membership discounts end soon
The Productivity Commission Inquiry Report on Thank you to all physiotherapists who put in
Mental Health released this week has star performances as part of the APA’s
identified the clear links between poor physical membership renewal campaign.
health and mental health conditions.
Physiotherapy is ideally positioned to deliver The campaign connects us with the
vital support in a person-centred approach. commitment, professionalism, achievement
and warmth the profession is renowned for.
The APA joins calls for improvements in the And acts as a reminder about the true value of
ways GPs connect Australians with other being part of the APA community- the endless
services within and beyond the health system. support that the APA and its 29,100 members
Neglect of physical health care was specifically give each other.
identified by the Productivity Commission
Inquiry Report into Mental Health. The report Renew your 2021 APA membership now by 30
found that “Mental ill-health affects all November 2020 and take advantage of our
Australians either directly or indirectly. Almost 15% Early Bird discount. Conditions apply.
one in five Australians has experienced mental
illness in a given year. Many do not receive the Use the code WITHYOU2021 at the checkout.
treatment and support they need. As a result,
too many people experience preventable Further details: Early bird discount
physical and mental distress, disruptions in
education and employment, relationship
breakdown, stigma, and loss of life satisfaction
and opportunities.”
It was noted that health professionals can
neglect people’s physical health once they
have been diagnosed with mental illness.
Further details: Report, APA media release
Meanwhile, registrations are filling fast for
APA’s Mental Health First Aid (blended
learning) course, presented by the chair of
APA’s National Mental Health Special Interest
Group, Associate Professor Joanna
Connaughton.
The first two courses held were sell outs and
this last course for 2020, being held 2-9
December, is almost full.
Further details: APA PD
19 November 2020APA Advocacy News
Latest advocacy and emerging issues
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged care
Health The APA has made a submission to the
The APA is a member of the Close the Gap Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality
Steering Committee, a collaboration of peak and Safety responding to the Counsel
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non- Assisting’s proposed final recommendations.
Indigenous health bodies working together to The Counsel Assisting made 124 wide-
achieve equality in health and life expectancy ranging recommendations, some of which
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander echoed principles the APA has advocated for.
peoples. They also included recommendations specific
to allied health, including physiotherapy.
Last week the Committee met to discuss
topics including the new agreement on The APA has recently distributed two media
Closing the Gap, institutional racism and non- releases in response to Royal Commission
government organisations and the 2021 papers: Survey of Aged Care Residents and
Close the Gap report. Counsel Assisting's final report and
recommendations. This has resulted in an
This was the first meeting of the Close the Australian Ageing Agenda article featuring
Gap Steering Committee under the new the APA’s response to the proposed final
terms of reference for the Campaign’s recommendations.
Indigenous Leadership Group (ILG). The new
terms of reference highlight the role of the We attended the National Aged Care Alliance
ILG in providing overarching leadership and quarterly meeting this week contributing to its
management of the Close the Gap campaign response to the Counsel Assisting’s report.
and ensuring directions and decisions are We advocated to ensure embedding allied
made by and in accordance with Aboriginal health throughout the aged care system is
and Torres Strait Islander peoples. prioritised. We also met with Prof Kathy
Eagar, Director Australian Health Services
Ahpra have released their inaugural Research Institute and architect of the AN-
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander ACC funding model, to pursue issues on
Employment Strategy 2020-2025 physiotherapy in residential aged care.
(Employment Strategy) with the goal of
increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Further details: APA submission, Australian
Islander participation within Ahpra. Ageing Agenda, APA media releases
The Employment Strategy is a key Other aged care news
deliverable of the National Scheme’s
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health New research commissioned by the Royal
and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020–2025, Commission into Aged Care has shown many
which aims to improve health outcomes of people in non-metropolitan regions move
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples more than 100km, or drive for more than 60
by improving cultural safety, increase minutes, from their home when they begin
workforce participation and improving access permanent residential aged care or use
to health services. respite in an aged care facility.
Further details: media release Further details: How far do people move to
access aged care? report
19 November 2020APA Advocacy News
More Good days, an online Reablement Compensables
Community of Practice for Commonwealth
NSW
Home Support Programme (CHSP) service
providers, has been launched by the Federal The APA has recently met with SIRA to
Department of Health. discuss their proposed fee reforms for
physiotherapists. This is part of a broader
It is designed to be an online forum tool for series of reforms to the NSW Workers
CHSP providers to learn, share and engage Compensation and CTP schemes proposed
with other providers across the CHSP sector. by SIRA.
Further details: More Good Days SIRA have advised that the fee reform is a
response to an escalation of treatment costs
over recent years, a lack of parity with other
The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line
schemes and declining return to work rates.
has received additional funded to be
extended until 30 June 2021 to ensure senior The proposed amendments, to take effect on 1
Australians get the services and assistance January 2021, include:
they need during COVID-19. Between 22 complete withdrawal of the complex
April and 23 October 2020, the support line consult (PTA005) and work-related activity
received more than 5,000 inbound calls and assessment and treatment (PTA013)
provided more than 29,000 outbound calls. codes
an expectation that almost all consults will
The support service is a joint initiative of fall within a newly defined Consultation A
COTA Australia, Dementia Australia, National and B service type (see definition and the
Seniors Australia and the Older Persons fee attributable to each code within the
Advocacy Network. The expansion of the attached documents)
service will also include support from the continuation of telehealth codes associated
Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care with Consult A and B service types
Alliance. further consultation on withdrawal of the
home visit codes
Senior Australians who would like information separation of the Case Conference and
and support are encouraged to contact the Report Writing codes (note that report
Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line on writing code can only be used when
1800 171 866, Monday to Friday between requested by the insurer), and
8:30am to 6pm AEDT (excluding public further delineation of ‘severe injury’ for
holidays). which the practitioner is to negotiate fees
with the insurer.
The Guiding Principles for Victorian
residential aged care, designed to lower The APA is seeking your feedback and
COVID infection risks and in place since July recommendations in regard to the fee reforms
2020, will end on 30 November 2020 in by Friday 27 November 2020 to assist with our
metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. submission to SIRA.
Further details: Department of Health Further details: feedback and queries to
jenny.robertson@australian.physio
website.
19 November 2020APA Advocacy News
Compensable training - certification - an Private Health Insurance
opportunity to communicate and collaborate
Bupa is updating its Ancillary Provider Terms
As a profession SIRA has given us the – “Terms” - from 1 February 2021. (the
opportunity to extend our scope of practice following information has been provided by
and ultimately do more for our patients. The BUPA to help to explain what this means)
conversations and communications with the
treating doctor regarding certification and What are they?
return to work are integral to this As a physiotherapist recognised by Bupa
for the purposes of paying a benefit for
The session will cover: services you provide to Bupa customers,
the “Terms” govern your relationship with
review certification principles and the Bupa. They apply every time you
practical process provide a service to a Bupa customer
who wants to claim for that service under
hear from a GP what information they
their Bupa policy.
need from physios
They were developed to promote best
ways to use certification to market
practice, customer care and safety and
yourself or your clinic
also support the rules under which Bupa
building stronger relationships
operates (Private Health Insurance Act)
useful templates written by experts in the and the codes of conduct put in place by
field regulators such as AHPRA.
hear common questions answered on the
night and the opportunity to ask your own What’s changed?
Bupa used to have two separate “Terms”
Further details: APA website – one for the dentists and allied health
professionals and one for practitioners in
Digital health unregulated professions such as natural
therapies. They now have one
As part of their work with the Australian Digital overarching set of Terms.
Health Agency, AHPA is conducting a survey of Telehealth – these new clauses relate to
allied health practitioners about their use of the treatment of Bupa customers using
digital health technology. Results of the survey Telehealth
will help inform the Agency about the software
Bupa Customers – these new clauses
needs of the allied health sector to engage with
platforms such as My Health Record and cover informed consent, informed
secure messaging. financial consent, parental/legal guardian
consent for treatment of a minor
Participants will be able to enter the prize draw Benefit Recovery – these new clauses
to win one of four $250 Prepaid Visa Cards. give Bupa the right to recover benefits in
The survey closes on Monday, 30 November certain circumstances, for example
2020. where it can’t be substantiated that
services have actually been provided to a
Further details: survey Bupa customer as no or inadequate
clinical records exist
Suspension, Termination and
Consideration of recognition after
suspension – these new and updated
clauses now allow the practitioner to
terminate their relationship with Bupa
19 November 2020APA Advocacy News
with two month’s notice (as well as It has been confirmed that the following rules
allowing Bupa to terminate the will apply to allied health professionals during
relationship with two month’s notice). the ‘circuit breaker’ period:
New clauses also allow for review of a
provider’s recognition status where the Those exempt from the current six-day order:
relationship with Bupa has previously allied health professionals working as
been suspended or terminated. essential workers in hospitals providing
Clinical Record Keeping Requirements – critical clinical care or as directed by the
these updated clauses further clarify hospital
Bupa’s requirements and are aligned allied health professionals working in
with professional Board and industry private practice providing care through
requirements. telehealth and other virtual care options
allied health professionals providing
Further details: Bupa or contact 1800 931 mental health services, being provided in
194 or providerfeedback@bupa.com.au. hospital or telehealth, and
students, medical/nursing/midwifery/
COVID-19 allied health on placement providing
essential care in hospitals or through
The APA and AHPA have strongly advocated telehealth.
on behalf of the physiotherapy profession and
allied health to ensure continuity of safe Those not exempt from six-day order:
practice via telehealth and face-to-face since any other allied health professionals
the onset of COVID-19. other than above, and
any students other than the above.
We are in continued regular contact with
State Chief Allied Health Officers, the Minister HR in practice have provided us with a
for Health and relevant departments. workplace relations update to support
While it is pleasingly we are moving to a “new members during the ‘circuit breaker’
normal” across the country, we are working restrictions. These can be found on our
hard to keep our South Australian members website.
updated in light of the new lockdown.
Further details: website
South Australia Restrictions Physiotherapists who work in RACF are able
to continue to provide services in these
The South Australian Chief Allied Health settings. Physiotherapists must adhere to
Officer has advise that private practices can PPE and infection control requirements of the
remain open and operate if providing services RACF, inform the RACF in advance of any
by telehealth only. Those not offering other sites visited and maintain a record of
services by telehealth must close for the different facilities visited to assist in tracking if
duration of the six-day ‘circuit breaker’ period. needed.
NDIS and disability
Updates to the NDIS Price guide were
announced on the 17 November 2020.
Further details: website
19 November 2020APA Advocacy News
Submissions Telehealth
We have provided a submission to DSS The APA held the second round table on 12
on the National Disability Strategy. November 2020. The round table had a range
The APA will provide a submission to of stakeholders at the discussion which
DSS on the NDS and NDIS Outcomes focused on two particular topics:
Framework funding and sustainable support for
telehealth for improved access and
JMF grant outcomes
ensuring safety and quality of telehealth
The Confidence in Disability Management delivery within allied health professions
course is now available for the first round of
registrants. The course is equivalent to five Presentations were given by APA Board
hours of CPD and there are a limited number Director and gerontological physiotherapist
of free places available. Expressions of Rik Dawson on telehealth in aged care and
interest for the course are still being SARRAH CEO Cath Maloney on telehealth in
accepted. remote and rural communities. University of
Melbourne also presented on its development
For more information, and to register for the of international telehealth guidelines for
course: course registration physiotherapists.
The filming for the awareness campaign has Earlier this year, University of Melbourne, in
now been completed. Editing and final collaboration with researchers at University of
production will continue over the next few Queensland and Flinders University, invited
weeks. The final awareness campaign should Australian physiotherapists to participate in a
be publicly released in mid-December. Physiotherapy Research Foundation funded
project which investigated the effectiveness
of telehealth by physiotherapists in Australia
Paediatrics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project involves clinicians, telehealth
The APA was invited to a consultation with experts, business owners and funding bodies.
the NDIA and Nous Group on the Early It has engaged 212 physiotherapists and 388
Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Reset patients and the first round of surveys have
Project. been completed.
Further details: website Further details: interim findings
This week the APA met with AHPA and other
peak bodies to brainstorm future advocacy
opportunities and approaches. Ongoing
conversations will be held in the coming
months to develop a position statement for
ECEI advocacy.
19 November 2020APA Advocacy News
Resources
Report: Rethinking aged care: emphasising Webinar: Vic Health - launch updated guide
the rights of older Australians Healthy Persuasion: crafting health promotion
messages that resonate. You’ll hear about
Further details: Grattan Institute Report. the new insights from our 2020 research, as
well as from the people who are using these
insights to structure their communications to
effectively advocate for change. Thursday 3
December, 10am-11.30am.
Further details: Register
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