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APODA SA NEWS
17/8/09 The Health Services Union invites you to join us for the
BBQ Launch of Health Professionals 2009 EB Campaign
On: Tuesday 1st September 2009
Time: from 12 noon to 2pm
At: the North East corner of Victoria Square
(in front of the Department of Premier and
Cabinet)
Guest speaker: Tim Jacobson (Assistant Secretary of
HSU Tasmania)
South Australian Health Professionals are facing a number of challenges which include attraction and retention
issues. This requires a clear plan for the future.
The HSU have developed a log of claims which will be
used to engage government, and the general community
in a way to recognise the value of Health Professionals in
South Australia.
In order for us to organise catering please RVSP to
hsuasa@bigpond.net.au, or SMS to 0419 036 615 or
phone 8279 2255 by 21 August 2009.
Launch of HSU Health Professionals
2009 EB Campaign
14/8/09 Best Practice ”weaknesses"
During the process of putting together the curriculum for the compulsory podiatry units in the Cert IV, Allied Health Assistance, (in other words, the podiatry assistant’s course) we learnt that there is a strong Industry Skills Council focus on occupational health and safety, infection control, policy and procedure.
What was also becoming obvious from the feedback from our assistant trainees and their employers/supervisors, was that many clinics are sadly lacking in these departments. We all use the excuse that we are too busy consulting and doing the accounting, to implement all the policy and procedure that we know we should have in place, but generally bumble along without.
We should all be complying with the Australia/New Zealand Infection Control Standards, but in general I think we are actually quite ignorant of these. Anne White recoiled in horror when some of our assistant trainees explained how they normally process instruments in their practices. All except one student incorrectly described best practice for surgical suite surface preparation, despite the correct answer being written in the curriculum, because they were following the advice of their supervising podiatrist.
You could also tell the students who sourced the correct answers from the internet on questions regarding The Privacy Act, and those who had made the mistake of asking their employers!
These are several “best practice” clinic management issues that have come to the attention of the Association from the podiatry assistant’s course, however we are also looking for honest member feedback on areas that you consider that you require assistance in order to better comply with governmental standards.
Please contact the Association on your areas of concern so that we can gauge numbers and interest for continuing education sessions centred on;
-Infection control
-OH & S
-Privacy Act
-Registration Board Regulations
These topics are generally not considered a priority, however as a profession we appear to be sadly lacking. Unfortunately it may take a litigious incident to make us focus on our “good housekeeping”, but the Association is offering members the chance to be a bit more pro-active, so confess your weakness to Cass or Nat and we will help get you and your clinic up to standard.
The Association has a Practice Manual Template NOW available in the Members Only section of the website under Practice Management
23/6/09 EPC Scheme and Commonwealth and/or State Funded Service Providers
Members and the Association office have recently been approached by a number of government subsidized facilities (day therapy centres) who have been considering offering Medicare funded appointments to their clients that meet the EPC criteria. Facilities have approached the podiatry staff members asking them to obtain a Medicare Provider Number which the facility will use to submit and claim the Medicare rebates. The facility is not eligible for Medicare Rebates if the service being provided is by an employed member of staff.
To assist members that may be in or know of a similar situation, we have the response from the Department of Health and Ageing below:
“Under the Health Insurance Act 1973 subsection 19(2), Medicare rebates do not apply for medical or allied health services provided under an arrangement with a Commonwealth, State or Territory government. In short, the service cannot be funded by both Medicare and State (or Commonwealth) governments. Our fact sheet refers to this on page 3.
Allied health professionals need to meet specific eligibility requirements, be in private practice and register with Medicare Australia. Registration forms are available from Medicare Australia at: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or can be obtained by phoning 132 150.
Allied health services funded by other Commonwealth or State programs are not eligible for Medicare rebates, except where a subsection 19(2) exemption has been granted. (These exemptions apply to services where the Minister has determined there is a need e.g. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.)
Medicare services complement services provided by State and Territory governments and increase access to private allied health services by making them more affordable. They are not meant to replace services already provided by State or Commonwealth governments. Providers will also be advised of the legislation constraints on claiming Medicare when applying for a Medicare provider number - see the application form on the Medicare Australia website.
An allied health professional applying for registration under the allied health initiative must be in private practice, and services claimed under this initiative must be performed while working in a private capacity. Because there are a number of ways that a provider may be supported by a State or Commonwealth government, organisations are advised to seek their own legal advice as to whether the specific arrangements for the provision of services comply with the legislation.
APODC NEWS
APodC responds to Health Technology
Assessment (HTA) Submission Paper
In support of one of its core business areas – lobbying & advocacy, the APodC has recently
submitted a response to the Federal Government’s discussion paper on the subject of technology
and its use in delivering health information and health services electronically.
The HTA review is part of the Government’s wider e-health strategy, which was originally
developed by business consulting group, Deloitte. In 2008 the Australian Health Ministers through
the Australian Health Minister’s Advisory Council asked Deloitte to develop a strategic framework
and plan the government could use to guide coordination and implementation of e-health principles,
methodologies and technology across the Australian health care sector; technologies that would
focus on the delivery of a number of services like e-discharge summaries, medication management,
pathology and referral services.
The paper or response from the APodC submitted on the 28 of May 2009 focused its attention on
ensuring that systems for assessing new medical devices and treatments were transparent,
rigorous, and working to ensure the best possible outcome for patients and the community.
Health Workforce Bill to change the way health
is delivered
The APodC is currently reviewing the Federal Government’s Health Workforce Bill. The 2009
Bill was created to support the establishment of Health Workforce Australia, a statutory body
which the government wishes to use to reform current workforce arrangements and
approaches to health workforce education and training.
The creation of such body was supported by a Productivity Commission report in 2006 into
the Australian workforce irregularities, titled Australia’s Health Workforce. The paper
commissioned by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) suggested that a more
sustainable and responsive workforce for Australia was needed. It also added that the
complexity in the existing Australian Health Workforce and the involvement of numerous
bodies (at a State and Territory level) meant it hindered effective policy development and the
current health care system’s ability to meet changing demands.
National Primary Health Care Partnership sets
vision and key deliverables
In a landmark decision, members of the National Primary Health Care Partnership (NPHCP) voted
in support of the partnership’s new vision and Key Result Areas (KRAs). As part of its new focus
the group will turn its attention on raising the Federal Government’s awareness of the importance of
continued multi-disciplinary care, with members of the partnership also indicating that the areas of
graduate and post-graduate placements was a area ripe for change.
NPHCP is the result of 19 national peak health organisations coming together to form one
representative body for primary health care in Australia. The chief aim of this body is to lobby and
advocate for the interests of primary health care across Australia.
NPHCP represents over 100,000 allied health professionals who work across Australia.
Budget night provides food for thought for allied
health
Budget night May 12th is behind us, but it’s still a hot topic for health professionals. Despite
the Federal Government allocating $1.1 Billion to the training of Doctors, Nurses and Allied
Health Professionals, which was a significant plus for the allied health sector, the APodC (and
other allied health professionals) are still frustrated by the lack of mention and overall support
given by the government.
What the Budget did show however is that some allied health professions, namely Midwifery,
had made significant inroads. Under the new Budget arrangements, the Health Minister in
Nicola Roxon has added Midwifery as an item under the MBS and PBS schemes. The APodC
believes Midwifery’s success could prove beneficial to Podiatry’s future aims, believing that it
opens the door for other professions to enter.
Council forms working group to review APodC
billing guide
The APodC has formed a working group to review the APodC Billing Guide, with the aim of
this activity being to bring the billing guide into line with current health insurance rebates. The
initiative will the APodC understands support working Podiatrists in their interactions with
patients who hold private health insurance.
Initial work to support the working group has commenced with the Council’s Policy Manager
in Andrew Lewis being given the task of researching what items health insurance funds
provide a rebate for under the MBS and PBS schemes in order to gain clarity around current
practices.
It is estimated the working group will deliver a new and improved billing guide by the end of
2009.
Policy Working Group receives support from the
APodC
The APodC Board and its members, the peak body has recently formed a working group to
review APodC Board documents such as the Board Member Handbook, internal APodC
policies and portfolios. The board handbook looks at the purpose of the Council, Board
delegate roles and responsibilities, accountability and integrity, financial stewardship and the
organisation’s operating procedures.
APodC looks at a new way to deliver health promotion services
In its drive to look at new and innovative ways to deliver Council services, the APodC has made the
decision to restructure the way it supports member requests for podiatry related health promotion
material. Under a new arrangement created by the Council, all products (including phamplets on
Ageing and Diabetes) will be distributed via Member Associations. More information on this subject
will be provided shortly.
APodC works to streamline research and grants
application process
Following the very considerable fund raising success of the APERF auction at the National
Conference, some excellent ideas have been presented to further the fund raising necessary
to maintain and increase the APERF research grant mandate. In tandem with fund raising,
there are ideas to raise the profile of APERF and to possibly further assist novice
researchers. APodC’s Dr Judy Ann Jones who is an experienced Health Behaviours
researcher, as well as a project reviewer and former tertiary graduate student supervisor and
teacher will help Trustees and co-opted members to drive these ideas and translate them into
action.
Australasian Podiatry Conference breaks records
In a report tabled by the APodC event management team, a number of records were broken
by the latest Australasian Podiatry Conference. The May 12-16 event saw not only the largest
number of delegates, but also the greatest number of trade exhibitors. The same event also
resulted in the latest auction raising more money than any other. Run on the Friday night of
the almost week long event, the auction raised over $43,000. The outcome of both major and
silent auctions, the money generated was also owed in some part to the generous donation
(of $10,000 dollars) made by the Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
(AAPSM) on the night of the event.
Event manager of the five day event (Ms Elisha Warren) said that the conference outcome, was
representative of the efforts of several key groups including: the Conference Committee, staff at the
Australasian Podiatry Council, sponsors, generous auction donors, venue management, exhibition
hire and audio-visual staff and most importantly the participants: both delegate and trade who showed
their enthusiasm and support for the podiatry profession.
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