Please send all correspondence regarding InterComm to Chani at cmurtagh@spinal.com.au

March 2014

InterCommIssue 45

events calendar:

4 AprilClassic Wallabies Lunch

26 MayTransverse Myelitis Day

9 SeptemberTake My Seat Townsville

17 SeptemberTake My Seat Gold Coast

19 September Take My Seat Brisbane

9 NovemberCruise for a Cause

9 - 15 NovemberSpinal Injuries Awareness Week

15 - 16 NovemberG20 Leaders Summit Brisbane

The Association’s Cairns office will officially open next week on Tuesday, 11 March. Member for Cairns Gavin King, who is also the Assistant Minister for Tourism, will attend to do the honours. Staff, members, clients and stakeholders in the region have been invited to a special morning tea as part of the celebrations. We will also be inviting local media along to cover the event.

The office has two dedicated staff, Janette McGregor (better known as Mouse) and Karen Jackson. Mouse is an Occupational Therapist/ Nurse with the Spinal Allied Health Service (SAHS), while Karen is a Client Service Officer with Personal Support & Home Care Services. Through this office,

the Association has been able to provide services to more people in Far North Queensland, with about 120 members and clients currently supported.

The office was opened on 1 July, 2013 to meet demand in the region and give members and clients better access to our staff and support services. The Cairns team has already been able to grow their client base, with two new clients for personal support and 10 additional SAHS clients now accessing our services. Mouse has also been able to provide training to community allied health staff and university students in the region, expanding local knowledge of spinal cord injury.

Help us reach 5,000 likes!Have you liked the Association’s Facebook page yet? We are almost at 5,000 likes! You can also invite your friends and family to like the page as well.To find us, click on the image or visit:

Cairns office official opening!

March 2014 • Page 2 InterComm

BRUCE MILLIGAN

CEO’s updateWe have certainly had a productive start to the year, with some fantastic projects already underway. As mentioned on page 1 of the InterComm, the opening of the Cairns office next week is set to be an exciting event. I am looking forward to seeing the new facilities and meeting some of the members and clients from the region who will be in attendance. We are continually looking at ways to reach more members and clients, and the Cairns office is an example of this commitment.

Conversion to a Company Limited by Guarantee

We still have a few formalities to finalise before we can officially change our name, in the transition from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). We will keep staff posted about this change, including when we can start using the new name. We have put plans in place to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible. This transition to a CLG is an exciting one, as there are many benefits which we will be exploring in the coming months ahead. If you have any further questions, please contact your manager or Team Leader.A new Corporate Plan was also presented to the Board meeting last Thursday night. We will make this plan available to staff when it is approved, as this is a great way to see the direction of the Association now and into the future.

Classic Wallabies Lunch

Early next month on 4 April, the annual Classic Wallabies Lunch will be held at Brisbane’s Hilton Hotel. The event is into its ninth year and we are proud to be the beneficiary. The popular lunch is attended by business leaders and members of the sporting community including Wallabies and All Blacks greats. This year All Blacks great Stu Wilson, Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann, current Queensland Reds captain and Wallaby James Horwill and former Wallabies captain Andrew Slack will be in attendance. Tables have almost sold out for the event, which is fantastic.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme

With the implementation of the NDIS and the move to a more commercial, competitive model, there will be implications for existing service providers and the way that services will be delivered. The new funding model will work on a fee for service basis with clients having the ability to purchase their services or equipment as required. This is a significant opportunity for the Association to expand and market our specialist services to people with a spinal injury and other disabilities along with our existing current members and clients. The Association’s long term goal is to encourage them to purchase their services from our specialist staff. Each individual department will be working with their staff and clients to design these services into the future.

Would you like to volunteer at the Classic Wallabies Lunch on Friday, 4 April? We need assistance with registrations, selling raffle tickets and handing out prizes. Contact Rebecca Hutton on 3435 3184 or rhutton@spinal.com.au.

March 2014 • Page 3 InterComm

Workplace Health & Safety

PERSONAL SAFETY

Working in the community setting such as client’s homes, driving and accessing public places poses a wide range of risks to support workers and clients. The following are some tips on minimising common risks in the community:• Always have your mobile phone charged and

easily accessible;• Don’t leave handbags/wallets in plain view in

your vehicle;• While in the client’s home, consider leaving

your handbag or valuables in the boot;• Park in well-lit visible areas;• Return to your car with your keys ready and

check front and back seats before getting in;• Don’t leave handbags/wallets in shopping

trolleys or on benches;• Keep a small torch in your car or handbag;• In the client’s home, make sure you know

the safe ways to escape in the event of an emergency;

• Ensure you wear footwear appropriate for the tasks being performed;

• Think about how you would assist the client in an emergency such as a fire;

• Be aware of other people in the home who may pose a risk e.g. intoxicated, violent, abusive;

• If you don’t feel safe, excuse yourself or use another excuse to leave the house and get to a safe place e.g. your car and lock doors;

• Don’t become involved in domestic conflicts/arguments – contact your CSO for advice or call 000 Police if there is actual, or potential harm to anyone;

• Trust your gut feelings – if you feel unsafe, you probably are;

• Avoid confrontation and do not engage in arguments;

• Nobody should tolerate bullying, harassing or abusive behaviour. Report any of these behaviours to your CSO/supervisor as soon as possible.

If you have any concerns or issues, contact John ‘Chuck’ McInnes, the Association’s Workplace Health and Safety Manager, on jmcinnes@spinal.com.au or 3435 3161.

Did you know that the Association’s Style Guide (QUDOS No.101135) has a template for writing a letter? Just like email signatures, all letters from the Association should have a consistent design and layout to reflect a professional image.

With all letters, Arial font in 12 point should be used because it is easy to read and professional. The Style Guide template also shows how to lay out the date, address, and paragraphs. Don’t forget the Style Guide also has information about other documents such as certificates and PowerPoint presentations,

as well as useful general tips for spelling, writing dates and the time, and more. If you have any questions or are having trouble finding this document, please contact Rachel on rtoune@spinal.com.au or 3435 3119.

With the upcoming conversion to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), there will be some changes to the Style Guide and the terminology used to describe the organisation. We will update you on these changes once we have completed the transition.

Style Guide Reminder

March 2014 • Page 4 InterComm

PAULINE DAVIS, GENERAL MANAGER - PERSONAL SUPPORT AND HOME CARE SERVICES

PSW updateCheers to all our staff and particularly to our PSWs. Although we are well into the new year, I feel I have to say best wishes to everyone for the best year ever. To those of you with children, I hope you and your kids had a good start to the school year as well.

I feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the challenges of the coming year after four weeks leave in January. There are many challenges for us this year including ensuring we offer a competitive hourly rate to our clients for the cost of our service, continuing our work on our self-directed funding pilot, engaging with new clients through the Your Life Your Choice initiative, undertaking the business development work that we need to do to position ourselves for the introduction of the NDIS in Queensland in 2016 and welcoming new clients from the Spinal Injuries Unit.

We had the first GM/PSW Reference Group for the year on 18 February. Attendance was not great this time and maybe that had something to do with the time of year, although we did have one new member join us this time. Please let us know if

you would like to be a part of the group. The minutes will be sent out to all PSWs.

The fact sheet regarding understanding payslips was sent to all PSWs late last year. We are hopeful that this will help you understand the payslips. I think there is still a level of detail PSWs would like to see but I am not sure it is possible without us needing to put the details of every shift worked on the payslip, which is not practical to do. We are however looking into it. PSWs can always phone their CSO or payroll to seek further advice.

You would now be receiving text messages confirming changes made to your current roster. This is an initiative we have been working towards for some time. I hope you are finding it helpful. Remember you will only receive a text if the changes relate to the current fortnight’s roster.

We have now introduced the new arrangements regarding submitting of travel claims by PSWs. I have had some PSWs suggesting that we are not able to impose these time restrictions. However, as this is an above-award payment, we are able

to place conditions on how we administer these payments. I am hopeful that these requirements are not too onerous. Thanks for your co-operation with this.

Just a reminder of the importance of maintaining client confidentiality. I know it is easy to inadvertently chat about something that has happened in the course of a conversation with another person without intending to, so please be very careful that you maintain absolute confidentiality around client matters. Also, if a client talks to you about another client or about personal issues regarding another PSW, be sure to politely remind them that it is not appropriate for you to be having these conversations with them about other people.

As always thanks to everyone for the great work that you do on behalf of the Association. Keep up the good work. You are welcome to provide good news/feedback as well as issues of concern to me at any time.

Cheers

PaulineGeneral Manager

Hi All

There has been some correspondence over the last few months advising that we are currently undergoing a review of our recruitment process for PSWs. Thank you to those that have provided us feedback so far. As part of the review, we are looking to revamp our selection process, find other methods of advertising client vacancies to you, increase our retention rates, and generally make the process more effective and efficient.

You may have seen some of these changes already with the introduction of the WantMoreShifts@spinal.com.au email address. If you have not been receiving emails from this address on a regular basis, please check your ‘Junk’ email inbox as they may have been sent there.

Otherwise, we may not have an up-to-date email address for you. Either way you can email this address or call our Workforce Planning officer, Dennis Moran who can help

you with any enquiries regarding permanent vacancies.

We are also looking at trialling texting permanent shift vacancy information to your mobile phone in the future, and using social media. Permanent shift vacancies can also be found on the Spinal Injuries Association’s website.

The review will be completed around the end of March and further information will be provided to you when it’s complete.

If you would like to provide feedback yourself, feel free to contact me at msharratt@spinal.com.au. I look forward to providing you with more information as the review is finalised.

Marty Sharratt

March 2014 • Page 5 InterComm

PERSONAL SUPPORT AND HOME CARE SERVICES

PSW update

Big shout out to Sarah Keppell for all the support she provides to her client often at short notice with shift time changes – Ted Caldwell, CSO

HOT TIPS:

Beat burnout by making more time for the activities and people that matter most to you

1. Build downtime into your schedule

2. Drop activities that sap your time or energy

3. Rethink your errands

4. Get moving5. Remember that

a little relaxation goes a long way

Years of service completed Helen Pike, Workforce Planning Officer – Shift fill has recently celebrated 4 years with the

Association. Helen does a fantastic job and is a wonderful member of the PSHCS team.

ANNA MORITZ

SHIFT FILL CHAMPIONS

Staff Member(s) of the Month

CSO Ted Caldwell would like to thank PSW’s Eliza Peachey & Melissa Mann for all the additional support they have provided to the clients in the Toowoomba region.

Transitional CSO Samantha Kent has highlighted PSW Donna Pannowitz for showing a high level of commitment and dedication to her role. Donna was recently acting as a trainer for the transition team and used her experience to assist a transition client home with complex needs.

CSO JACKIE Kite would like to mention the following PSW’s:Jenny Oberman – has worked for the Association for almost seven years and her passion and dedication to the client is second to none. She also helps out in covering many additional shifts in times of need. A big thank you from us and her client.

Megan Dean & Amanda Apps - for being inventive and very good at problem solving ahead of time. They both have great communication skills and work out any issues collaboratively with the CSO and the office. Thank you! Rachael Leonard - for her tireless support of her clients and for working through issues and coming out the other end. Your dedication is very much appreciated by your clients, CSO and the office.

Jan Story & Rosemary Alexander- for the long years of service, your flexibility and reliability towards your client. It is very much appreciated by everyone.

To the Regents Park client team members- Solange Dusingizimana, Diane Ross, Catharine Jennings, Isabel Gordon and Shona Porio. The client’s roster has been very stable for many years, the client has had many years of great service delivery and your CSO and the client appreciate your consistency and reliability. Thank you and keep up the great work you do.

1. How long have you been a support worker with Spinal Injuries Association? Since August 2013

2. What do you like most about PSW work? Being part of someone’s daily routine brings on a variety of challenges and also many rewards, which I enjoy.

3. What question do you wish you had asked before you started work as a PSW? You do what with the gloves?

4. Name five people (living or deceased) you would invite to dinner. The Dalai Lama, Stephen Fry, Oprah, Mozart and Nelson Mandela

5. Describe your perfect Sunday. Sleeping in would be a good start...

6. How do you keep a good work-life balance? I have always maintained a calm attitude towards work and family life, especially now that I’m studying as well. I recognise that some days or weeks do get busy but allow myself to take time out, especially ‘me’ time.

5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance

CELEBRITY PSW

“When should you use the brakes on a floor hoist?”The brakes on a floor hoist should only be used for storage and never whilst being used with a client at all. A hoist is designed as a counter-balance, and as such it needs to be able to move to adjust its centre of balance at all times. Restricting the movement of a hoist will increase the risk of injury to the client or staff member, and tipping of the hoist. Always apply the brakes on the bed, wheelchair, shower-chair or any other piece of equipment the client is being transferred into, but not the hoist.

March 2014 • Page 6 InterComm

INDUCTION PHOTOS AND MORE

PSW update

ARE YOU PLANNING ON TAKING LEAVE OR LOOKING FOR EXTRA SHIFTS OVER EASTER BETWEEN 7/4/14 or 25/4/14?If taking leave, please lodge a request for leave form before Friday 7/3/14. If looking for shifts please advise your CSO or Shift Fill. This will greatly assist us in ensuring your client’s needs are met during this period. Thank you

SOM

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CES We have four wonderful people working in our Shift

Fill team in the office during business hours. The number to call to talk to Shayne, Helen, Carla or Janette is 07 3391 2044 (M-F 8:30am-5pm)

If you need to talk to someone outside of business hours to have a shift filled at short notice or to advise of a client emergency, you can speak to the fabulous after hours team, Jo or Claire on - 0418 884 981 (M-F 6am-8:30am and 5pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 6am-10pm). As you can imagine these girls get very busy and therefore this service is not designed for general enquiries or matters which can be addressed during office hours. Let’s keep that number absolutely free for short notice shift cover and client emergencies and not for anything else.

Just to clarify a couple of issues. If Shift Fill initiates a text message to a PSW, the PSW needs to respond to the text but ONLY to the number the text has come from. If you receive a text from Shift

Fill it will always have your name at the start of the message and the name of the writer at the end of the message. This will clearly indicate the number is one you never ring or initiate communication with. It is strictly for Shift Fill or after hours generated texts.

We seek your co-operation in the filling of shifts by always responding to any contact initiated by Shift Fill or after hours in a timely manner, even if you are unable to cover the shift/s requested.

Given the high volume of calls handled by Shift Fill and after hours, we also seek your co-operation in relation to Ezi Pay matters. It is absolutely critical that any matters associated with Ezi Pay are raised during business hours with your CSO or a member of your CSO’s team. Please do not make calls about Ezi Pay to Shift Fill or after hours.

Brisbane Induction

Townsville InductionAntoinette Gabril, Karen Green, Veronika Zagrebina, Karen Olsen, Honor Cochrane, Sean Hammond, David (Min Suk) Han, Kate Hoogeveen

March 2014 • Page 7 InterComm

Community Development update

MICHELLE

LANDRY

TRANSVERSE MYELITIS DAY

An event will be held at the Association on 26 May. Key note doctors from the USA have been invited to speak via Skype. Transverse Myelitis Association (USA) president Sandy Siegel and Executive Director Chitra Krishnan have accepted an invitation to talk about research and the projects they currently involved in.

Housing Forum Planned – The Association is supporting this one day forum concerned with the advancement of universal design housing on 9 May, also at the ADCQ – an important event as Australia moves to increase its accessible housing stock.

Councils Developing Inclusive Community Action Plans – Toowoomba Regional Council and City of Gold Coast have moved to develop Inclusive Community Action Plans – and Bundaberg Regional Council

has established a reference group to commence the process.

Polio Australia Queensland Representatives – At the AGM, Queensland representatives John Mayo and Dr Margaret Peel were re-elected to the Board of Polio Australia for a further two years.

Accessible Swimming Pools on the Coast – A Gold Coast member has made access assessments of public swimming pool and hoist

equipment deficiencies. Following approaches by John Mayo, City of Gold Coast officers have sought a submission for inclusion in the CoGC Inclusive Community Action Plan.

Gold Coast Sun – The Gold Coast Post Polio Network will be featured in the near future in the Sun. Further north, Bundaberg Spinal Injuries Network has two new Facilitators, Wendy McCarthy and Pat Allison.

New MP Champions Post Polio AwarenessAs a result of the Capricorn candidates’ forum the Association hosted during the Federal election campaign, first time candidate Michelle Landry promised to take polio issues forward. She won the seat and became a member of the Polio Survivors Parliamentary Friendship Group. She met with our Rockhampton Post Polio Network on 5 February, discussed the issues and is now working with us to prepare a submission to the Health Minister for polio recognition, funding and collaboration with medical professionals to acquire knowledge about treating patients who present with post polio symptoms.

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT JONESThe Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland and the Association have agreed to partner to initiate an annual Memorial Oration about inclusive community inspired by the great pioneering work by member, the late Robert Jones. The first Oration will be 5.45pm, 8 May at the ADCQ.

NEW

S

March 2014 • Page 8 InterComm

COL MACKERETH, PETER HARRE & KATIE FRANZ

Peer Support

Last month the Peer Support team met Erin Brockovich ……. again!

Erin visited the Spinal Unit at the PA Hospital for a meet & greet afternoon tea with patients, families and staff. President David Riley and CEO Bruce Milligan officially welcomed her as the Honorary Ambassador to the Association’s Peer Support team and presented her with an official name badge and an Association shirt and cap.

In a very candid and personal address, Erin spoke of the difficulties her son was experiencing with PTSD after his return from

military service in Afghanistan. She stressed the importance of family and peer support and showed that she really does “get it”.

While we welcomed Erin to our team, it was great to have our hidden team member and unsung hero, Leanne Morley with us at this event. We often talk about how awesome our team is but it’s because of the support we get from Leanne (aka “Condensed Awesome”) and of course “Boss” (aka Frances Porter).

Are you proud of your role here at the Association? Do you love your workplace? Why not share your experiences with others! We have a number of employee testimonials on the Association’s website, and we’re always looking for more to add to the mix.

This page showcases our talented team to members, clients, stakeholders and the wider community. It’s also a great way to inspire potential employees to come on board, as they

can get a feel for their workplace and the kind of people they will be working with.

If you would like to take part, it’s easy – just email Rachel at rtoune@spinal.com.au or call 3435 3119. All that’s involved is answering a few questions via email or phone, and a photo. You can view all of the current employee testimonials at http://www.spinal.com.au/work-with-us/employee-testimonials/.

Employee Testimonials

March 2014 • Page 9 InterComm

ERICA VALADARES, ADVISOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

L&D updateBRISBANEFirst Aid12 March29 April6 JuneSkills Day4 March20 March4 April

GOLD COAST First Aid7 March MARYBOROUGH Skills Day12 May First Aid13 May

SUNSHINE COASTSkills Day17 JuneFirst Aid1 May

BUNDABERG Skills Day27 MarchFirst Aid28 March

ROCKHAMPTONSkills Day15 AprilFirst Aid16 April

TOWNSVILLESkills Day 20 March 17 April13 May

MT ISASkills Day17 March

Training Dates:

CHC52212 Diploma of Community Services Coordination

Karina BossTed CawdellTiarah CullenKatie Franz

Stacey KerslakeJackie Kite

Sammy LauSandee LeslieJoanne McGillDennis MoranSharon ParkerGloria PopataFiona SherryJames Stone

Sandra Wakeham

A big congratulations to the following employees who have recently completed their placement to obtain a Certificate III or IV Disability. Obtaining this qualification is a significant and rewarding step in their professional development and the Association is delighted to have been able to support them through this achievement.

Diploma of Disability Lisa Connell

Kass HernesniemiSandee LeslieMarty SharrattLaura Vincent

Changes to salary packaging

Late last year the Federal Government announced a change to the Fringe Benefits Tax rate, which will affect salary packaging benefits for the next FBT year (commencing 1 April 2014). Basically the maximum amount of salary packaged funds available has reduced from $16,050 to $15,899 per FBT year, commencing 1st April 2014.

All employees are advised to review their packaging arrangement for the 2014/2015 FBT year and to contact EPAC to amend packaging where required. Any employees that do not respond to these communications will ultimately have funds withheld from their final payroll in March 2015 to avoid over-packaging. These withheld funds will be available in the 2015/2016 FBT year.

Please note: Importantly, EPAC will not amend packaging arrangements without consent from employees, to

ensure that all arrangements are both tax compliant and appropriate for each employee. Any employees that do not respond to these communications will ultimately have funds withheld from their final payroll in March 2015 to avoid over-packaging. These withheld funds will be available in the 2015/2016 FBT year.

So it’s in your interest to call EPAC on 1800 680 180 before 1 April 2014 to ensure that your obligations are met and don’t have any ongoing issues.

If you would like further information regarding the Federal Government’s change in FBT rate and the impact on salary packaging is available on EPAC’s website, at www.epac.com.au.

HR