Dear
Re: COVID-19 update on allied health services in regional Victoria
I am writing to inform you about recently updated advice provided by the Victorian Government in regard to allied health services in regional Victoria. The advice has been updated in accordance with the Directions issued by the Chief Health Officer and is as follows:
- Under current restrictions, allied health private practices can resume services with COVIDSafe requirements in place. This includes having a COVIDSafe Plan and complying with requirements on record keeping, density quotients, face masks and cleaning.
- Vaccination requirements apply for workers in healthcare settings. See Information for industry and workers required to be vaccinated for details.
- All COVIDSafe principles should apply to the work premises, including maintaining physical distancing where possible and encouraging regular hand hygiene.
- A density quotient of one person per four square metres applies to work premises, except hospitals. This requirement extends to treating rooms, staff offices, administration offices and waiting areas.
- Allied health private practice from a residential address in regional Victoria (excluding LGAs under lockdown restrictions) can continue to operate if this is the usual place of business. A separate entrance must be provided for patients or clients.
For allied health providers in metropolitan Melbourne, there is currently no change to the health services provided under lockdown restrictions. Currently, only face to face “urgent clinical care” is permitted with telehealth the preferred means of service delivery in accordance with the Authorised Provider and authorised worker list where audiologists are “authorised providers” of “authorised health services”. The Department of Health has not yet indicated when allied health providers can resume face to face routine care under the forthcoming easing of lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne. We will continue to follow this up with the Department of Health and advise you of any updates.
Allied health providers should apply their discretion and determine urgency based on their clinical assessment. As a guide, urgent clinical care is direct clinical care that prevents a significant change or deterioration in functional independence which would result in an escalation of care or is required as an adjunct to other urgent medical or surgical interventions.
For example, urgent clinical care is direct clinical care that:
- avoids a potential hospital admission or emergency department presentation
- avoids serious acute consequences or acute deterioration
- presents or delays the need for further specialist medical or surgical intervention
- prevents an increase in care needs that would necessitate additional carer supports or change in accommodation needs
- limits secondary complications post-surgery
- where deferral would lead to long-term adverse consequences (e.g. delays to child development).
As there is active community transmission in regional Victoria, please be mindful and take this into consideration when making appointments. Risk mitigation strategies should remain in place, such as screening patients for symptoms before they come into the clinic or practice.
Please stay safe, and if there is anything we can do to assist you during this time, please don't hesitate to contact the office on 03 9940 3900 or email: info@audiology.asn.au.
Yours sincerely
Dr Tony Coles
CEO
Audiology Australia
Suite 101, 13 Cremorne Street Cremorne, VIC 3121
ABN: 31 168 531 324 | p: 03 9940 3900 | e: info@audiology.asn.au | w: www.audiology.asn.au