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News and Information
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Call for Member Feedback on the Impairment Tables for the Disability Support Pension
Occupational Therapy
Advice is sought from members with expertise in mental health OTs and OTs working in physical areas including spinal, neuro, amputees, cognitive rehabilitation, ABI and intellectual disability. Specifically, we are seeking commentary on the currency of the tables, opportunities for strength-based assessments, and current evidence supporting any amendments.
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Update the DSP Impairment Tables to make sure they are consistent with contemporary medical and rehabilitation practice;
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Introduce consistent consideration of the use of aids and equipment in the measurement of impairment in the DSP Impairment Tables;
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Reassess the appropriateness of definitions contained in the Introduction to the DSP Impairment Tables, with particular regard to the assessment of people with intermittent psychiatric conditions;
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Re-examine the descriptors in the DSP Impairment Tables to ensure that a score of 20 points aligns with an inability to work 15 or more hours per week in the open-labour market at or above award wages without the need for on-going support;
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Re-design the DSP Impairment Tables to focus more on ability; and
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Ensure that the DSP Impairment Tables can be used by both Allied Health Professionals and Medical Officers.
Tables of particular relevance to Occupational Therapists include:
Ø Table 1. Loss of Cardiovascular and or Respiratory Function-Exercise Tolerance
Ø Table 2. Loss of Respiratory Function-Physiological Measurements
Ø Table 3. Upper Limb Function
Ø Table 4. Function of the lower limbs
Ø Table 5. Spinal Function
Ø Table 6. Psychiatric Impairment
Ø Table 7. Alcohol and Drug Dependence
Ø Table 8. Neurological Function-Memory Problem Solving Decision Making abilities and Comprehension
Ø Table 9. Communication Function-Receptive and Expressive Language competency
Ø Table 10. Intellectual Disability
Ø Table 21 Intermittent Conditions
Members are invited to write care of the National Office, or email nlay@deakin.edu.au or policy@ausot.com.au
Impairment Tables Feedback Template
Feedback is required by 15 September 2010
Q-COMP Table of Costs Review
Following the OT AUSTRALIA Qld submission to Q-COMP's 2010 Allied Health table of costs review, Q-COMP did not approve all the amendments that we recommended. The new table of costs will be ready to download from the Q-COMP website on 1 July 2010.
Below is a letter outlining the changes Q-COMP has made to the table of costs and also a specific response to our submission. Thank you to everyone who input into this review process.
Aged Care Issues
Occupational Therapy Australia Qld responded to the recent article published in the Courier Mail by Suellen Hinde on 28/02/10 in reference to the treatment of the elderly.
Read the letter of response here
OT Australia Qld welcomes individuals to share their personal or professional experiences by emailing us at: reception@otqld.org.au
Bed Polese Bed Poles
A recent South Australian Coroner’s Report - Inquest Arthur John Hutton (Dec 09) - about vertical bedpoles (bedsticks) provides useful information and consideration for OTs working in the community, hospital and rehabilitation areas.
“The report by the Deputy State Coroner, Anthony Schapel, has directed the findings arising from the Inquest into the death of a resident at a Residential Aged Care Facility. The cause of death was asphyxiation due to neck entrapment between a vertical bedpole (sometimes referred to as a bedstick) and the side of a bed mattress.
The Deputy State Coroner has indicated that, “…bedpoles should not be used in circumstances where there is a gap between the bedpole vertical component and the mattress, or potential gap if the device or mattress moves, and / or where the intended user has a history of recurrent falls from bed, has a cognitive impairment, with or without limited mobility, or where the intended user’s faculties are compromised by medication. Any person or organisation that utilises bedpoles must ensure that the use of a bedpole is risk assessed in each application.”
If you have not seen the full report you can access this at:
Since this has been circulated there has been some discussion as to how can we alter our practice and ensure as OTs we are meeting our duty of care. There does not seem to be any publicly available risk checklist available. Some of the discussions on the home modification list serve have indicted some aged care facilities do not use the bed sticks and use the slide under bedrails. Some OTs have indicated they prefer to prescribed double bed sticks (pole each side), different ways to secure the bed sticks from cobra one’s to angling single bed sticks for double beds to decrease movement. In the UK they tend to use the bed levers which were secured to the frame of the bed with straps but I have not been able to find them readily available and they are much more costly then the cobra.
Concerned therapists should log into our Communities of Practice, Aged Care forum to discuss what you are all doing. The above links can also be accessed by a click of a button on the forum. You will need your login details: surname (and/or first initial) and password: QLD membership number.
Clara Chan, State Elected Councilor