Today a meeting was conducted by the Chief Allied Health Officer and other government departments to provide further clarification on the current status of allied health and other practices in Victoria.
For regional Victoria, the same rules still apply, in that face to face clinical practice is permitted for all AHPRA registered and non-AHPRA registered practitioners, providing appropriate PPE is used and that there is a COVID Safe plan in place. You can access the resources needed for COVID Safe plans here - https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-plan?fbclid=IwAR1-0NGCwvWS7Yn06262FByi01hrpb7jjvh2HG16yr681tqFRqArEo0Bad0
Where possible, Telehealth / Virtual consults are recommended.
For Melbourne metro, there are no changes for non-AHPRA registered practitioners expected until October 19th, at which time Melbourne expects to move to the same rules as regional Victoria currently has in place.
Currently non-AHPRA registered practitioners can only see clients face to face if they fall under the category of providing services that are part of a patient's endorsed care plan (Work Cover, NDIS), AND where these therapies are needed to help prevent a significant deterioration in functional independence, resulting in an escalation of care needs (such as increased frequency in treatment, significant increase in pain, specialist input, or substantial increase in recovery time as a result of delayed care).
AHPRA registered practitioners in addition to Social Work, Speech Pathology, Dietetics, Audiology, Exercise Physiologists, Orthotists and Prosthetists are able to practice face to face but only under very specific circumstances outlined here…
- Prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence which would result in an escalation of care needs (e.g. an increase in frequency of treatment needed, an increased need for prescription medication due to a significant increase in pain, requirement for specialist input or review, an increase in care needs, and/or a substantial increase to anticipated recovery time associated with a delay in receiving services)
- Provide assessment and diagnostic services to clients/patients whose care has been delayed as a result of Stage 4 restrictions, with any further delay likely to result in deterioration in functional independence or adverse health outcomes (including access to diagnostic imaging services or assessment for prescription of assistive equipment and technology)
- Provide services that are essential as part of a broader plan of care with a medical practitioner (e.g. fitting a brace post-surgery)
- Provide services that are part of a conservative management plan to avoid or delay elective surgery (as agreed with treating team)
- Provide services immediately following elective surgery that prevent secondary complications or aid functional recovery (as agreed with treating team).
Routine care is not yet permitted.
Indoor group classes are not permitted.
More information about restrictions can be found here - https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-sector-guidance-health-care-and-social-assistance
And there is also an opportunity to for you view a Webinar update by the Department of Health on the topic of Primary and Allied Health, tomorrow (30th Sept) at 11:30am AEST here - https://publish.viostream.com/app/s-n9bif9i?fbclid=IwAR1HO8XQ_PxxMJQTZNNLWo8SqsKyz5mMDShXiR5hGcLWblWQtAM94rdqrwc
We deeply appreciate the challenges that these restrictions are placing on so many of you, and we will continue to provide you information as it comes to hand
29th September 2020