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Please send all correspondence regarding InterComm to Rachel at [email protected]
May 2015
InterCommThere has been significant research that looks at a person’s quality of life and how this is influenced by the limitations of wheelchair use and environmental barriers.
For anyone using a wheelchair this is stating the obvious. Although a lot of work has been done to reduce architectural barriers in the built environment there still remains many areas in the natural setting such as beaches that continue to be challenging or remain completely inaccessible.
Over the years there have been mobility aids that have tried to address the problems associated with accessing the beach but most have had their limitations. These include motorised wheelchairs that don’t allow the individual to enter the water or manual wheelchair that cannot be self-propelled. If you are lucky enough to get to the water in your own wheelchair then there is the problem that most wheelchairs on the market don’t like being dunked in the ocean as they will rust.
Recently in Cairns a few individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury were able to test out the new BT-X wheelchair in beach mode over some pretty challenging terrain. The wheelchair was trialled at a spot just north of Cairns called Machans Beach which is beautiful but not easy to get to. In fact, it was much harder than we initially thought due to recent rain that had washed out the path to the beach.
Those who trialled the wheelchair were pleasantly surprised on how well the wheelchair performed, with comments such as: “This is only the second time I’ve been on the beach since my accident and that was a nightmare” seeming to be a pretty common theme.
Although the wheelchair was set up in beach mode, it successfully managed the bushland section that has been washed out as well as a variety of different beach areas with differing sand density. During the trial one individual required some assistance in a small section of the path to the beach that had been washed out with very loose sand, however, all managed to propel the rest of the areas independently.
The large rear and front wheels enabled the individuals to propel with minimal effort across the sand and through the water
but as you would expect more effort was required to get up the sand dunes.
This unique wheelchair has been designed by Lasher Sports and comes either as a specific beach wheelchair (BT Beach Wheelchair) or as part of a wheelchair style (BT-X ) that has interchangeable wheels creating three different modes: everyday, all-terrain and beach. The wheelchair design helps to fill a void as it allows the individual to traverse the beach and reach the water while addressing the issue of independent mobility.
The Spinal Allied Health Service is able to assist with arranging trials of the wheelchair and accessing funding options, which include self-funding or the Queensland Government’s Community Aids, Equipment and Assistive Technologies Initiative (CAEATI) program. The distributor for the wheelchair is Push Mobility, which is based in Melbourne but has recently set up in Queensland.
TRIAL OF A NEW BEACH WHEELCHAIRJANETTE MCGREGOR, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST/REGISTERED NURSE
Issue 57events calendar:
11-17 May
National Volunteer Week
19 May
PSW Reference Group
23 May
Client Health Seminar -
Pain Management
25 May
Transverse Myelitis
Awareness Day
29 May
Fatality Free Friday
30 May - 7 June
Queensland Week
8 June
Queen’s Birthday Public
Holiday
14 June
Brisbane Times
City2South
15-21 June
Men’s Health Week
May 2015• Page 2 InterComm
COMMUNITy DEVELOPMENT UPDATE JOHN MAyO, GENERAL MANAGER
SITTING BACKWARDSA number of members are facing increasingly demanding directions from Brisbane City Council bus drivers requiring them to face backwards while travelling in the allocated wheelchair space.
This means members cannot anticipate or respond as well to braking or changes of direction and it is difficult to understand where you are on the journey. After investigating the legislation and finding no such requirements we are tackling the issue with bus authorities.
EXPERTS TO SPEAK AT TM DAyThose staff interested in the diagnosis, treatment and research on neuro-immunological conditions such as Transverse Myelitis are welcome to attend the TM Day program in the conference rooms on 25 May from 10.15am where you can hear Dr Allen DeSena via video link from the USA and Dr Ik Lin Tan speak in person and engage in Q&A.
Dr DeSena is a recipient of the James T. Lubin fellowship award to pursue a clinical and research career in transverse myelitis. He is the first pediatric neurology fellow to study the rare spectrum of neuro-immunological disorders, with a particular focus on transverse myelitis. Currently, Dr Tan, who completed her fellowship at John Hopkins Hospital (USA), is one of Australia’s only consultant neurologists specialising in TM.
TOWNSVILLE POST POLIO NETWORKTownsville Post Polio Network has been without a Facilitator since the passing of Mary Gibson in September last year. Requests from members saw Member Network Coordinator Jeanette Kretschmann travel to Townsville recently to gather interest from the group to re-establish and reinvigorate activities and connections.
A large number of members turned out and indicated their enthusiasm to reset a calendar of activity and peer support.
ELEPHANTS AND SLIPPERy SLIDES IN THE LIBRARy?When carrying out audits for the City of Gold Coast Helensvale and Broadbeach Branch Libraries, Wendy Lovelace came across a truly delightful space to engage young, and not so young, readers. There are many seating choices, materials and passive and active play opportunities.
Books and other materials are displayed at appropriate heights to be reached by children of almost any age, people with a disability (including people seated in wheelchairs) and a range of standing adults.
Also spotted were a small herd of elephants, portholes, floating bookshelves and a slippery slide (pictured below).
A warm welcome to all our staff in PS&HCS to our May newsletter. I hope everything is going well for you and your family. We are well into the new calendar year now and very busy preparing budgets for the new financial year, which is just around the corner.
I met yesterday with a group of new PSWs who were attending Induction and they were very keen and excited to get started in their new roles. We wish them and all our new staff every success. Just remember your CSO, Team Leader, Operations Manager or myself are just an email/phone call away if you are having any sort of problem with settling into your new role.
Of course, I am always available to any of our PSWs who wish to make contact with me around any matter they would like to discuss.
you may be aware that we have recently reviewed our recruitment practices and we are now taking a look at our Induction program to see if there are things we can do to improve on this. We are working closely with Aaron Buckner our RN/trainer in this work.
I always get very good feedback from new PSWs and current PSWs attending Skills Days regarding Aaron’s training programs, so we want to make sure that any changes we make are going to really benefit staff and clients.
The current Induction program has been in place now for almost three years so it is probably timely tohave a good look at it to make sure it continues to meet our needs now and going into the future.
Our NDIS Readiness Leader, Renee Chad, has now commenced with us. Renee will be focussing entirely on our plans and activities moving towards the commencement of the NDIS in Queensland. One of the first things I have asked Renee to focus on is a communication plan to guide our engagement with clients and staff to make sure everyone understands the NDIS and the impact on how we do our work. I want to assure you all that we will be ready when the time comes and we will make sure that we have prepared our staff and clients for the ‘brave new world’.
Our PSW Reference Group is scheduled for 19 May. If you have not previously attended and are interested in doing so, please contact Marg Murray at [email protected] and she will send you the details of the meeting. you can attend in person if you live locally or by phone if you live further away or that is just your preference.
Once again, thanks to all staff for the great work that you do with our clients. Stay safe and look after yourselves at home and at work.
CheersPauline DavisGeneral Manager
STAFF MEMBERS OF THE MONTH
CSO Ted Cawdell would like to mention the continued outstanding support provided by PSW Cecilia Talbot who has really stood out during a time that saw one of her clients short of staff. Her dedication to her clients and SIA is greatly appreciated.
From CSO Sondra Englebert - “A big thanks to the Ferny Hills Share House Team (Tracey Kramer, Melanie Smith, James Stuart, Peta Carmock, Mia Miers, Phoebe Miller, Mel Short, Carol O’Brien, Phillipa Horton and Megan Parsons) for always pulling together and working as a great team especially over the last few weeks as the house is filling up. your hard work and professionalism has been appreciated by your CSO”.
CSO Lisa Milliken would like to give a shout out to the team of dedicated PSWs in Kingaroy who are filling in extra shifts while their client’s wife is undergoing medical treatment. Thank you to Robyn McKenzie, Michelle Cartlidge, Tara Adams, Gaye Webster and Glenis Triffett for the commitment to your support of this family in their time of need, it’s greatly appreciated!
From CSO Fiona Sherry – PSWs Amber De Har, Fiona Streets, Shona McKenzie, Regina Pandurovic and Jenny Reese have all helped out on their rosters picking up shifts whilst staff have been either on leave or needing to be recruited. Thank you very much!
CSO RECEIVED MANy COMPLIMENTS FOR PSWS IN VETERANS’ HOME CARE“During the past two weeks I contacted more than 50 veterans, for the required quality of service checks. All of them responded with great enthusiasm about the excellence of our support workers. Repeatedly I heard that PSWs are friendly and kind, work hard, are always willing to help with extra tasks within the time allocated and easily adjust to their clients’ needs. My sincere thanks to all PSWs in the VHC team; your services are valued and appreciated by your clients and by me.”- Elza Hudson
SHIFT FILL CHAMPIONSThe Shift Fill Team would like to say a big THANK yOU to all PSWs for their ongoing support in assisting us to cover shifts for clients. And in particular we’d like to say a special THANK yOU to the many, many PSWs who drop everything or change their plans to assist client/s at short notice when contacted by the Shift Fill Team. your dedication, commitment, flexibility and ongoing support are greatly appreciated.
May 2015• Page 3 InterComm
PAULINE DAVIS, GENERAL MANAGER - PERSONAL SUPPORT AND HOME CARE SERVICESPSW UPDATE
FAREWELL TO CARLASadly we are saying farewell to CSO Carla Garrette. Carla has been involved in SIA for many years in various roles and she will be greatly missed. Please join us in sending through messages of support and good wishes for the future!
Carla is seen here with her fellow colleagues from the South team:CSO Ted Cawdell, CSO Elza Hudson, CSO Jackie Kite, CSO Carla Garrette, CSO Sandra Natus, CSO Jessica Brownsey and Team leader Shiralee Ransley.
NEW FACESOn a happier note, we are welcoming in two new CSOs currently undergoing training and getting out there to meet clients.
Welcome to CSO Jessica Brownsey (above in photo) and CSO Malcolm Nicholson (below).
you will no doubt see these two new faces or hear from them soon if they are going to be working with you.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN yOUR REGION?In Brisbane: 1 May – 31 May.The 22nd annual 4MBS Festival of Classics features 29 events in 16 venues across Brisbane, highlighting local talented classical musicians. This year’s theme The Glory of Venice will be showcased in concerts throughout the month. The 4MBS Festival of Classics aims to make classical music and theatre accessible to all and supports talented local performers, both emerging and established.
RECRUITMENTSIA is currently again recruiting for a Client Service Officer. We are encouraging any PSWs who are interested in the position, to have a chat with your CSO so we can support you in any way during an application. We will again be holding an information session for PSWs to discuss what the CSO role is and what it requires. More information coming to you soon via email and SMS.
SPINAL ALLIED HEALTH SERVICE BELINDA KROPP, MANAGER - SPINAL ALLIED HEALTH SERVICE
May 2015• Page 4 InterComm
PSW UPDATE CONTINUED
FREE CLIENT HEALTH SEMINAR TARGETS PAIN MANAGEMENTWe’re inviting clients to attend the second in our program of free health seminars for 2015, which will focus on pain management.
The seminars are open to all clients with a spinal cord injury or other physical disability, with the goal of sharing knowledge, addressing myths, and discussing best practice. The seminars will also share what’s new on the market, including the latest research and products that are available.
As part of the Pain Management Seminar on Saturday, 23 May, featured guest speakers and industry professionals will cover a range of important topics including acute pain, chronic pain and alternative therapies for pain management
The seminars are interactive and we will encourage participation, including Q&A’s. However, clients can also
send in questions via email prior to the seminars, for the guest speakers to answer.
The Pain Management Seminar will be held on Saturday, 23 May at our Brisbane head office at 109 Logan Road, Woolloongabba.
The seminar will run from 9.30am through to 1pm.
Lunch will be provided and partners are welcome to attend.
Clients can RSVP by Monday May 18 by contacting Leanne on 07 3435 3124 or emailing [email protected].
Places for the seminar are strictly limited and bookings are essential.
HIGHER LEVEL SKILLS TRAINING INITIATIVE An initiative under the Queensland Government’s five-year training reform action plan, ‘Great Skills Real Opportunities’, allows eligible, existing staff of Disability, Aged Care and/or HACC services to complete a Certificate IV level training or higher at a greatly reduced cost through the Department of Education, Employment & Training’s new Higher Level Skills funding program.
Below are further details about this funding:• Subsidies are available to eligible
existing workers including full time, part time and casual staff.
• Student enrolment fees apply from $95 – $300 depending on the course and if the student holds a concession card. There is no other associated cost. This is a huge reduction on the usual course fee of more than $3000.
• Eligibility requirements – workers need to be QLD residents aged 15 or over, Australian or NZ citizens or Australian permanent residents who do not hold, or who are not currently enrolled in, a qualification equal to a Cert IV or higher.
• Course duration is between 6 to 12 months, depending on frequency of training and delivery mode.
• There is no pre-requisite entry requirements for the Certificate IV in Disabilities qualification, however pre-requisites do apply for the Certificate IV in Aged Care and/or HACC.
• Funding has been approved for courses starting before 30 June 2015. The Government has not yet indicated whether this initiative will continue beyond this time.
For more information visit http://www.training.qld.gov.au/training-careers/subsidised-training-incentives/index.html
Alternatively you can contact one of the RTO’s below. • Mercy Community Services
Employment and Training (MCS E&T) – John Gray [email protected] or on mobile 0414 746 285 – for the Certificate IV in Disability/Aged Care or HACC
• Royal College of Healthcare – Conrad Quick Ph: 3257 7799 M: 0435 070 183 royalcollege.com.au – for the Diploma of Community Services Work
May 2015• Page 5 InterComm
L & D UPDATE
ARE yOU DUE FOR A SKILLS DAy REFRESHER?
If you are a Personal Support Worker and it’s been 18 months since your last Skills update, please contact your Client Service Officer today to book in for an upcoming session.
This Skills Day workshop focuses on refreshing knowledge and industry best practice on all clinical aspects of your role; this includes manual handling of people.
It also provides updated knowledge of organisational specific policies and practices where applicable. Our qualified clinical educators are here to support you to use safe techniques and practices that will make your job easier.
NIKI PEARSON, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR
WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS!L – R Front: Blanche Rapmund, Cassandra Strazzeri, Marilyn Shanley, Anna Vincent; L – R Back: Angel Baby, Teegan Daniels, Michelle Smith, Astrid Stahlfast-Moller, Kay Lucas, Ngairi Bemish, Candice Walker.Not included in this photo: Viki Anderson, Jess Brownsey, Danielle Green, Haley Krstevski, Nalini Lata, Louise English, Malcolm Nicholson & Rebecca Wilson.
BRISBANE
First Aid & CPR
22 May, 26 June, 3 August
Skills Day
21 May, 5 June, 18 June, 3
July, 15 July, 31 July
CAIRNS
First Aid & CPR
20 May
Skills Day
19 May
GOLD COAST
Skills Day
4 August
First Aid & CPR
17 August
GLADSTONE
Skills Day
23 July
First Aid & CPR
24 July
SUNSHINE COAST
First Aid & CPR
2 June, 26 August
Skills Day
1 June
TOWNSVILLE
First Aid & CPR
27 May, 22 June
Skills Day
22 May, 30 June
Training Dates:
