nsw hmms link autumn winter newsletter

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rvice Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A Nati rspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications intenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2 National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Mo ions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Ser nference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Pers e Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mai nce Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 201 tional Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modi ns and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Con ce 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec me Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintena rvice Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A Nati rspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications intenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2 National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Mo ions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Ser nference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Pers e Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mai nce Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 201 tional Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modi ns and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Con ce 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec me Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintena rvice Conference 2012 A National PerspectiveHome Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A Nati rspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications intenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2 National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Mo ions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Ser nference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Pers eHome Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mai nce Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 201 tional Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modi Modificat vice Confer pective Ho enance Ser National Perspective a HMMS CONFERENCE September 10th & 11th Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre | Darling Harbour NSW Inaugural National 2 0 1 2 Home Modifications National Perspective HMMS LINK Autumn - Winter 2012 Industry Briefings for Home Modification Services follow us on Facebook

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Autumn - Winter Newsletter

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Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifi-cations and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec-tive Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mainte-nance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifica-tions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Confer-ence 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifi-cations and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec-tive Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mainte-nance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifica-tions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Confer-ence 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National PerspectiveHome Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifi-cations and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec-tiveHome Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mainte-nance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifica-tions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Confer-ence 2012 A National Perspective

Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifi-cations and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec-tive Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mainte-nance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifica-tions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Confer-ence 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifi-cations and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec-tive Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mainte-nance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifica-tions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Confer-ence 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National PerspectiveHome Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifi-cations and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspec-tiveHome Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Mainte-nance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifica-tions and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Confer-ence 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective Home Modifications and Maintenance Service Conference 2012 A National Perspective ence 2012 A National Perspective

NationalPerspectivea

HM

MS

CONFERENCESeptember 10th & 11thSydney Convention & Exhibition Centre | Darling Harbour NSW

Inaugural National 2012

Home Modifications

NationalPerspective

HMMS LINK Autumn - Winter 2012

Industry Briefings for Home Modification Services

follow us on Facebook

Message from the Executive Officer, Stacey Sheppard-Smith

National Home Modification Conference September 2012

The NSW HMMS State Council is so looking

forward to seeing you at our Inaugural

National Home Modification Conference

to be held at the Sydney Convention and

Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour on

September 10th and 11th.

This year’s Conference will attract many

delegates from across the country and will

play a key role in commencing a dialogue

between service providers from all States and

Territories regarding a nationally consistent

policy approach to home modifications. It

will also explore the emerging reforms and

trends within the Community Care sector

and Disability industries.

Whilst a national perspective will be in focus

with workshops addressing these themes,

there will also be a strong workshop stream

covering building, occupational therapy,

administration and governance. The

workshops will aim to translate theory

into practice and enhance your knowledge

of home modifications practice as well as

giving you the opportunity to develop and

expand your knowledge base, practical skills

and product knowledge via presentations

and dynamic interactive trade displays.

You will also have a wonderful opportunity

to socialise, renew acquaintances and meet

new friends from the industry who have

come from all over Australia. This year,

the Industry Dinner on the luxury cruising

restaurant, the MV Sydney, is guaranteed to

be a great night of entertainment for you

and your guests.

Enjoy the sunset and panoramic views as we dine, dance and cruise Sydney Harbour.

You will be able to enjoy the sunset and panoramic views as we

dine, dance and cruise Sydney Harbour.

The Conference Program will be available at the end of May

and Registrations will open in June. All people on the NSW

HMMS State Council mailing list will be notified when available.

If you are not on State Council’s mailing list, keep an eye on

our website www.nswhmms.org or contact Nicolie Scrivener on

[email protected] to be added to the mailing list.

Can’t wait to receive your completed registration forms and

to seeing you in Sydney in September!!!

Follow us on Facebook

3

From 1st July 2012, a phased introduction of a series of

reforms to home modifications services funded under the

HACC program will commence. The reforms are in response

to industry concerns and challenges identified in ADHC’s

2010/2011 Home Modifications Review. Designed to improve

the industry’s efficiency, enhance equity and increase

capacity and sustainability, the reforms will be phased in

over a three-year period in two phases.

The first phase will include key areas of reform including

new funding for major modifications, streamlining referral

pathways, new policies to improve consistency across

services and clarification of stakeholder roles and

responsibilities. The second phase will commence in 2013

with reforms introduced to build the sector’s capacity,

streamline the home modifications service model and

support the sector’s sustainability.

For more information about the reforms, go to:

www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/

file/0009/253368/AH12-12194_Home_

Modifications_Fact_Sheet_1.pdf

Reforms to HACC Home Modifications

Industry Briefings for Home Modification Services

The following industry briefings and dates are scheduled.

7 May 2012 10am - 4pm Carriage House Motor Inn Cnr Sturt Highway & Eunony Bridge Rd Wagga Wagga

18 May 2012 10am - 4pm Coffs Harbour Racing Club Howard Street Coffs Harbour

21 May 2012 10am - 4pm Sydney Masonic Centre 66 Goulburn Street Sydney

23 May 2012 10am - 4pm Quality Inn the Willows 512 Pacific Highway Gosford North

25 May 2012 10am - 4pm Chifley Hotel 60-62 Harbour Street Wollongong

30 May 2012 10am - 4pm Dubbo RSL Cnr Brisbane St & Wingewarra Street Dubbo

A series of industry briefings will be held across NSW to inform home modification service providers about the changes and future directions for home modification services which will become effective on 1 July 2012.

At these briefings information will be provided about:

• the new application pathway through the Community Care Access Point

• E-referrals through HS Net

• new fees policy

• new prioritisation tool

• future directions and timeframes for ongoing reform

Registration for attendance at the briefings can be done via email at [email protected]

Please ensure that you include the details of which briefing you will be attending, the number of people attending, and your contact details.

In April, the Prime Minister announced that the first stage of

the NDIS will be introduced by the middle of 2013, a year ahead

of the Productivity Commission’s recommendation. This was

followed in early May by the Treasurer’s announcement in the

Federal budget that $1 billion will be spent over four years to kick

start the NDIS including:

• $342.5 million over three years from July next year for

individually funded packages for people with significant and

permanent disability;

• $154.8 million over three years from July next year to employ

Local Area Coordinators to provide an individualised approach

to delivering care and support to people with a disability;

• $58.6 million over three years from July next year to assess the

needs of people with a disability in the launch locations;

• $122.6 million over four years to start preparing the disability

sector for the new way of delivering disability services.

Every Australian Counts is a people’s campaign demanding the

introduction of the NDIS. It organised mass rallies in capital cities

across Australia which took place on 30th April. Mr Della Bosca

of Every Australian Counts said it hoped the Make it Real NDIS

2012 rallies had sent a clear message to Government that the

disability community is strong and determined and that the NDIS

has to be delivered in full as recommended by the Productivity

Commission. He also said that the rallies were designed to make

it clear that people are at breaking point waiting for basic services

and support with disability support systems across Australia

either currently in or on the verge of crisis.

Aged Care Reforms

Living Longer. Living Better.

3

By 2050, over 3.5 million Australians will access aged

care each year with around 80 per cent of the services

delivered in the community.

Staying at Home

Commonwealth Home Support program

($75.3 million)Older Australians clearly want to remain in their own homes

for as long as possible as their care needs increase. While

there are many programs that provide a range of support

services in the home, these programs are often fragmented and

inconsistent, leaving older people and their families confused

and not always being treated fairly as their needs change.

From 1 July 2015, the Government will establish a national

Commonwealth Home Support Program. This new and

streamlined approach will bring together under the one program

all the services currently providing basic home support - the

existing Home and Community Care program for older people,

the National Respite for Carers Program, the Day Therapy

Centres program and the Assistance with Care and Housing for

the Aged program.In developing the Commonwealth Home Support program,

we will review services being delivered in the home to gain a

better understanding of what older Australians want and need.

Services including meals on wheels, transport and home

modifications and maintenance will be looked at to ensure

they are being delivered in the best possible way. The review

which will be worked through in consultation with providers and

consumers will inform a move to more consistent and equitable

service delivery arrangements, and more national consistency

in what people contribute to the cost of these services. This will

be the first national review of basic home support services since

the 1980’s.

(image placeholder)

Living Longer. Living Better.

3

By 2050, over 3.5 million Australians will access aged care each year with around

80 per cent of the services delivered in the community.

Staying at Home

Commonwealth Home Support program

($75.3 million)Older Australians clearly want to remain in their own homes

for as long as possible as their care needs increase. While

there are many programs that provide a range of support

services in the home, these programs are often fragmented and

inconsistent, leaving older people and their families confused

and not always being treated fairly as their needs change.

From 1 July 2015, the Government will establish a national

Commonwealth Home Support Program. This new and

streamlined approach will bring together under the one program

all the services currently providing basic home support - the

existing Home and Community Care program for older people,

the National Respite for Carers Program, the Day Therapy

Centres program and the Assistance with Care and Housing for

the Aged program.In developing the Commonwealth Home Support program,

we will review services being delivered in the home to gain a

better understanding of what older Australians want and need.

Services including meals on wheels, transport and home

modifications and maintenance will be looked at to ensure

they are being delivered in the best possible way. The review

which will be worked through in consultation with providers and

consumers will inform a move to more consistent and equitable

service delivery arrangements, and more national consistency

in what people contribute to the cost of these services. This will

be the first national review of basic home support services since

the 1980’s.

(image placeholder)

Living Longer. Living Better.

3

By 2050, over 3.5 million Australians will access aged care each year with around 80 per cent of the services delivered in the community.

Staying at Home

Commonwealth Home Support program

($75.3 million)Older Australians clearly want to remain in their own homes

for as long as possible as their care needs increase. While

there are many programs that provide a range of support

services in the home, these programs are often fragmented and

inconsistent, leaving older people and their families confused

and not always being treated fairly as their needs change.

From 1 July 2015, the Government will establish a national

Commonwealth Home Support Program. This new and

streamlined approach will bring together under the one program

all the services currently providing basic home support - the

existing Home and Community Care program for older people,

the National Respite for Carers Program, the Day Therapy

Centres program and the Assistance with Care and Housing for

the Aged program.In developing the Commonwealth Home Support program,

we will review services being delivered in the home to gain a

better understanding of what older Australians want and need.

Services including meals on wheels, transport and home

modifications and maintenance will be looked at to ensure

they are being delivered in the best possible way. The review

which will be worked through in consultation with providers and

consumers will inform a move to more consistent and equitable

service delivery arrangements, and more national consistency

in what people contribute to the cost of these services. This will

be the first national review of basic home support services since

the 1980’s.

(image placeholder)

Living Longer. Living Better.

1

Living Longer. Living Better - Aged Care Reform Package The Government is building a better, fairer and more nationally consistent aged care system. Under Living Longer Living Better, the aged care reform package provides $3.7 billion over five years. $955.4 million to help people to stay at home through:• an integrated Home Support program• more Home Care packages with new levels of packages • greater choice and control through Consumer Directed Care available across all new Home Care packages• fairer means-testing arrangements for Home Care packages$54.8 million to help carers access respite and other support.$660.3 million to deliver better residential aged care through:• more residential care facilities to be built• supporting the viability of services in regional, rural and

remote areas• trialling Consumer Directed Care in residential aged care• strengthening means testing for residential care by combining

the current income and asset tests• establishing a new Aged Care Financing Authority• improving the Aged Care Funding Instrument$1.2 billion to strengthen the aged care workforce.$39.8 million to support consumers and research through:• empowering consumers through advocacy• better connecting the lonely and socially isolated• improving the knowledge of older people’s care and support needs$80.2 million to ensure better health connections through:• complex health care• multidisciplinary care• service innovation

National Disability Insurance Scheme

On 20th April, the Prime Minister announced the long-awaited reforms to the aged care system contained in the Living Longer Living Better Plan that will allocate $3.7 billion to aged care over a 10 year period.

The Plan will make it easier for aged Australians to stay in their home while they receive care and also will ensure more people are able to keep their family home and not be forced to sell it in order to gain access to residential aged care.

There will be more funding for dementia care and the number of home care packages will be dramatically increased. Costs for care to full pensioners remaining in their homes will be capped so that they will pay no more than the basic fee.

The Government also plans to increase the number of residential aged care places and establish a single gateway to all aged care services making it easier to access and navigate. $1.2 billion will be spent over a five year period to improve the aged care workforce by attracting, retaining and training aged care workers and to ensure they receive competitive wages.

For the full text of the Media Release by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing see www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr12-mb-mb032.htm

Reforms to HACC Home Modifications

7 May 2012 10am - 4pm Carriage House Motor Inn Cnr Sturt Highway & Eunony Bridge Rd Wagga Wagga

18 May 2012 10am - 4pm Coffs Harbour Racing Club Howard Street Coffs Harbour

21 May 2012 10am - 4pm Sydney Masonic Centre 66 Goulburn Street Sydney

23 May 2012 10am - 4pm Quality Inn the Willows 512 Pacific Highway Gosford North

25 May 2012 10am - 4pm Chifley Hotel 60-62 Harbour Street Wollongong

30 May 2012 10am - 4pm Dubbo RSL Cnr Brisbane St & Wingewarra Street Dubbo 5

Do you want more knowledge and practical skill development in prescribing minor home modifications?

Are you an experienced OT wanting to refresh/consolidate your skills in prescribing minor home modifications?

Do you provide supervision for occupational therapists who prescribe minor home modifications?

Then this Workshop is for you!

Margaret Neuss, Specialist Occupational Therapist, will present this Workshop on behalf of the NSW HMMS State Council.

The Workshop will focus on increasing the knowledge base of Occupational Therapists and the development of their practical skills in prescribing minor home modifications.

It will include the following topics:

• OT and builder roles

• OT assessment process

• A wide range of frequently prescribed

minor home modifications such as grabrails, handrails, taps, wedge and

threshold ramps, step ramps, hand held

shower hoses and steps for users of

walking frames.

• Application of AS 1428 where relevant

• Locating studs

• New and innovative products

• Documentation and Evaluation

Cost $ 250.00

Registration 8.30am

Workshop time 9.00am - 4.00pm

Morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea will

be provided.

Prescribing Minor Home Modifications

TRAINING WORKSHOP

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Margaret Neuss was appointed the Specialist Occupational Therapist for the NSW HMMS State Council in October 2007. The primary focus of her position is on training and resource development for the HMMS sector with particular emphasis on capacity-building initiatives for Occupational Therapists and fostering partnerships between Occupational Therapists and Builders. Margaret has extensive experience as a practising Occupational Therapist in metropolitan, regional and rural settings in NSW. Further experience gained working in the UK consolidated her skills particularly in relation to prescribing high cost home modifications. Margaret has been involved in designing and/or presenting training programs for Occupational Therapists in environmental modifications in the home for many years.

Registrations close

For further information, please contact:

Nicolie Scrivener (02) 6622 8386

[email protected]

LOCATION AND DATES:

Bega 4 April

Ballina 27 April

Queanbeyan 3 May

Dubbo 10 May

Sydney 16 May

Sydney 17 May

Port Macquarie 23 May

Bathurst 29 May

Wagga Wagga 5 June

Hunter 21 June

Wollongong 28 June

The venue at each location will be advised on registration

Participants will be provided with Certificates of Participation.

Register online at www.nswhmms.org

Go to Training and Events

2012

FOR OccuPATIONAlTHeRAPISTS

Occupational Therapist, Private Practice, Bathurst

Member, Central and Orana Far West Level 2 Home Modifications Committee

How long have you been involved with the HMMS?Been involved in prescribing home mods as an OT for 22 years, been an OT on Level 2 HMS Committee for 4 years.

Family consists of? Husband Robert, lecturer in Mathematics at Charles Sturt University, daughter Kathryn (16), son Hamish (14), daughter Rosalie (11)

Favourite holiday destination? East coast of Australia, anywhere, love the water.

Favorite food? Anything that I haven’t had to cook.

Book reading at present? Kids’ homework for checking.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given? From my father, “Love all, trust a few, always paddle your own canoe”.

Last $5 what would you buy? Food, definitely

Favorite type of music to listen to? Anything just not Justin Beiber (daughter’s favourite at the moment)

Play an instrument? Piano and flute previously but now pay for the kids to learn - piano, trombone, flute and clarinet.

Skill or talent you do not have that you wish you do? Marathon running

Play a sport / follow which sport / team you follow?My youngest daughter’s Bathurst Goldminers Basketball Under 14 team and my son’s Stannies Rugby team

If you could fill someone’s shoes for the day who’s would you like to fill? Minister for Health and reduce administration and bureaucracy and put the money into direct patient care.

Most influential person in your life? Husband and parents

Your moral in life is…? The most important thing is that you tried your best.

Type of car you drive? Holden Commodore

Tea or coffee or hot chocolate? Is wine a choice?

Best thing about working in the HMMS industry?Working with people who care about helping others in a practical, productive, straight forward manner.

How do you relax? Long walks with my 4 corgi dogs.

Best thing about living in Bathurst?Peaceful country living with opportunities to be involved in as many things as you want to.

GE

T TO KNOW

...

Louise Wood

HMMS 2012 Inaugural National ConferenceThe Occupational Therapy Program will be offering an exciting variety of presentations and experiential sessions at the HMMS 2012 Inaugural National Conference to be held in Sydney in September.

The OT stream at the Conference will include topics such as:

• Medico/Legal Issues for Occupational Therapists in home modifications

• Future - proofing home modifications to accommodate children’s growth and for people with degenerative conditions

• Home modifications for bariatric clients

• Enhancing vision through home modifications (design considerations and products)

• Research and quality activities such as sustainability of major modifications, falls prevention and home modifications, and utilising research material on home modifications

• Prioritisation Tool for OTs and Level 2 HMS Panels

• Trade talks with an OT focus and experiential sessions

The Home Modifications Information ClearingHouse Project will also be presenting a session during the OT stream to include presentations and/or workshops (to be confirmed) on Lifts and Ramps, OT specific resources and the OT Home Modifications List serve.

Resources for OTsThe HMMS State Council OT program is continuing to develop numerous resources for Occupational Therapists which will greatly enhance and guide therapists’ knowledge, assessment and prescription of home modifications.

Resources currently in development include the following:

• Proformas for wedges, threshold ramps and step ramps

• Templates for written specifications for major bathroom modifications and ramps.

• Policies on OT Evaluation and Evaluation Report Forms for both minor and major home modifications.

• Fact sheets on bidets, doors and bariatric needs.

• New products resource list.

• Home Modifications Glossary of Terms

OT TrainingThe Prescribing Minor Home Modifications Workshop for OTs is currently being presented in 11 locations across NSW (April to June inclusive). This will be followed later in the year by a Workshop on Prescribing Ramps and Landings. Both are one day workshops with a specific focus on increasing OTs’ knowledge base and practical skill development.

Occupational Therapy Program, Margaret Neuss, Specialist Occupational Therapist

GE

T TO KNOW

...

Keith Stevenson, Specialist Technical Officer

Quality Assurance Program

Reforms to the Home Building ActFurther to the recent amendments to the Home Building Act, changes have been made to Contract requirements for work valued between $1,001 and $5,000. As a result the NSW HMMS State Council sought legal advice from DLA Piper Australia regarding provision of home modification services and whether a summarised version of the State Council Contract provided to HMMS in 2011 should be developed for this category of work.

Paul Vergotis, Senior Associate at DLA Piper Australia, has recommended that a new Small Jobs Contract will not afford the same amount of risk protection as the DLA contract which was specifically designed for Levels 1, 2 and 3 service providers.

Therefore the risk protection is likely to be compromised with the use of a newly formulated Small Jobs Contract.

Building Code of Australia and

relevant StandardsThe NSW HMMS State Council subscribes to SAI Global to have access to the Building Code of Australia and relevant Standards. As part of your membership with State Council, you are entitled to access this Code and Standards on SAI Global’s website.

When you require access, please contact our Admin and Training Officer, Nicolie Scrivener, at [email protected] who will provide you with the current user name and password.

9

As a result of the home building law amendments that took effect on 1 February 2012, Builders and Tradespeople are only required to give consumers a copy of the Fair Trading Consumer Building Guide before entering into a contract when the value of the work is more than $5,000. In response to these amendments, the Guide has been revised and can be obtained on the Office of Fair Trading’s website at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tradespeople/Building_industry_essentials/Consumer_building_guide.html. Fair Trading will not supply the revised Guide in printed form.

Please note that any copies of the Guide dated prior to January 2012 are no longer accurate. However, traders will not be subject to enforcement action by Fair Trading

if they continue to use older versions of the Guide or contracts that include older versions of the Guide during the first half of 2012.

Long Service Leave for the Building and Construction Industry

Quality Assurance Program

Revised Consumer Building Guide now available online

NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING

Established in 1975, the scheme pays a long service leave payment to eligible registered workers and registered self-employed people who have worked in the building and construction industry in New South Wales. The scheme is portable allowing eligible industry workers to work for different employers or as subcontractors and still have their time recorded towards long service leave. Funded by a levy placed on building and construction projects and administered by the Long Service

Corporation, the scheme offers varying benefits based upon length of service i.e. after five, ten, or 15 years, ceasing work at retirement or permanent incapacity, or upon death.

All eligible workers must be registered in the Scheme and it is compulsory for HMMS, as employers in the NSW building and construction industry, to be registered with the Corporation. It is highly recommended that all HMMS check that their registration is current and all workers should check

that their service is being recorded.

For more detailed information about the scheme, see our Fact Sheet at www.nswhmms.org.au/sites/default/files/21_fact_sheet_long_service_builders.pdf

For further information, go to The Long Service Corporation’s website that includes a coverage index for the types of work covered by the scheme at www.longservice.nsw.gov.au/bci/employer/work-covered/

10

Concerns have been raised about the possibility of placing grab rails in a steel framed house due to weight restrictions. However, some Builders overcome this problem by using a self-tapping metal screw which is a lot finer and closer together than a timber screw.

However, it should be noted that the thickness of the steel framing material can vary greatly causing the screw to not grip in the stud as well as the thicker gauge material. Each job should be assessed individually

See the table below for Screw Thread types and uses. In the table, Builders use the fourth screw down which has a metal thread.

For more information about OTTER® Screwfix Screws visit:www.otter.com.au/screws_about.php

Installing Grab Rails in Steel Framed Houses

Twin fast / fine A fine double thread with a point designed to pierce thin steel up to 1mm thick and hold to medium to high density timber.

Coarse thread An open thread designed for use in soft timbers.

Split thread A thread that runs from the screw point three quarters the way up the shank stops and resumes 10 to 15mm below the screw head. Used in roofing screws to secure the roofing material to the screw head.

Metal thread A fine thread that taps or cuts its own thread into the metal being fixed. 11

Over the past three months, the NSW HMMS State Council has been providing training in Drilling Asbestos Wall Sheeting at no cost to participants. The training was also used as a forum and review of the current Safe System of Work (SSOW) for drilling Asbestos Wall Sheeting.

It is regretted that the response to the offer of free training has been disappointing with only 62 participants attending from across the Sydney Metro, Mid North Coast and Orana Far West Regions. It is hoped that in future more HMMS will take advantage of this most important free

training program. Feedback gained during these training sessions revealed that up to 70% of attendees were using unsafe work practices while installing grab rails and handrails onto asbestos wall sheeting during their normal work day.

The Shadow Vacuuming SSOW was the focus of the training as it has been identified as the safest system to use. Tests indicating that it eliminates all fibres released during the drilling process The correct use of Personal Protective Equipment was also discussed and demonstrated as part of the review process.

The feedback from participants was very positive with several innovative practices being shared during the training. One example was the use of a rubber stopper being used to plug the vacuum hose after use to contain any fibres trapped in the hose.

Other points raised were the requirement for a smaller more portable vacuum unit with a HEPA filter, initiating talks with the manufacture of our current units, as well as the need to change the SSOW to reflect a restriction of a maximum of three handrail/grab rail installations per room rather than the current restriction of 6 x 8 mm holes.

State Council will also be looking at testing and developing a SSOW for emptying the vacuum bag and the transportation and storage of tooling and equipment utilised in the drilling process.

Early indications are that several participants have taken the information presented back to their HMMS and have reviewed their current work practices to include the recommended SSOW into their local procedures. The use of the Developed Shadow Vacuuming Safe System of Work not only protects the worker but also their family and clients from the dangers of coming into contact with asbestos fibres.

If your Service requires refresher training in the Shadow Vacuuming Safe System of Work, please do not hesitate to contact Keith Stevenson, Specialist Technical Officer [email protected].

Asbestos Awareness Training

Quality Assurance Program

Response to the offer of free training has been disappointing

with only 62 participants attending

The team at Home Modifications

Lake Macquarie / Newcastle Inc have come up with a good method

that does not suffer from the grabbing effect.

They are using a Weller Wood Burning and Hobby kit that is basically a soldering iron with several attachments - available from very large hardware facilities! The tool is plugged into a power point and, when warmed up to operating temperature, it is ready to go. The hot scalpel blade attachment is used to score the cut line over and over again until the cut is completed and leaves a finish very similar to the original cut on the end of the ramp.

Cutting Rubber Wedge Ramps to Size

Have you ever had trouble cutting a Tyrex or RAVEN rubber wedge ramp to size?

Because the rubber wants to grab the cutting tool, it can be a difficult process. I have seen rubber ramps cut to size using a sharp handsaw, razor knife and a jigsaw and these processes all suffered from the same grabbing effect of the rubber.

BUy IT

HEAT ITCUT IT

(very carefully!)

Thanks to Danny and the team at Lake Macquarie /Newcastle HMMS for sharing their experience.

Following queries from various HMMS regarding the ability to open a room containing a toilet directly into a kitchen or pantry, we would like to thank Phil Endean of Kurri Kurri HMMS for the answer and sharing it with us.

The following BCA requirements set out how, with mechanical ventilation, we can legally open a room containing a toilet directly onto a pantry or kitchen zone without the need for an airlock. This will allow much more scope when designing bathrooms and result in greater circulation space with fewer walls.

Ventilation for Toilets

14

Quality Assurance Program

PART 3.8.5 VENTILATION Acceptable construction practice 2011 EDITION

3.8.5.1 Application

Compliance with this acceptable construction practice satisfies Performance Requirement P2.4.5 for ventilation

P2.4.5 Ventilation

(a) A space within a building used by occupants must be provided with means of ventilation with outdoor air which will maintain adequate air quality.

(b) A mechanical air-handling system installed in a building must control -

(i) the circulation of objectionable odours; and

(ii) the accumulation of harmful contamination by micro-organisms, pathogens and toxins.

(c) Contaminated air must be disposed of in a manner which does not unduly create a nuisance or hazard to people in the building or other property.

3.8.5.2 Ventilation requirements

Ventilation must be provided to a habitable room, sanitary compartment, bathroom, shower room, laundry and any other room occupied by a person for any purpose by any of the following means:

(a) Permanent openings, windows, doors or other devices which can be opened -

(i) with an aggregate opening or openable size not less than 5% of the floor area of the room required to be ventilated; and

(ii) open to -

(A) a suitably sized court, or space open to the sky; or

(B) an open verandah, carport, or the like; or

(C) an adjoining room in accordance with (b).

(b) Natural ventilation to a room may come through a window, opening, ventilating door or other device from an adjoining room (including an enclosed verandah) if -

(i) the room to be ventilated or the adjoining room is not a sanitary compartment;

and

(ii) the window, opening, door or other device has a ventilating area of not less than 5% of the floor area of the room to be ventilated; and

(iii) the adjoining room has a window, opening, door or other device with a ventilating area of not less than 5% of the combined floor areas of both rooms;

and

(iv) the ventilating areas specified may be reduced as appropriate if direct natural ventilation is provided from another source.

(See Figure 3.8.5.1 on next page)

15

PART 3.8.5 VENTILATION Acceptable construction practice ...continued

(c) An exhaust fan or other means of mechanical ventilation may be used to ventilate a sanitary compartment, laundry or bathroom provided contaminated air exhausts -

(i) directly to outside the building by way of ducts; or

(ii) into a roof space that -

(A) is adequately ventilated by open eaves, and/or roof vents; or

(B) is covered by roof tiles without sarking or similar materials which would prevent venting through gaps between the tiles.

3.8.5.3 Location of sanitary compartments

Sanitary compartments must not open directly into a kitchen or pantry unless -

(a) access is by an airlock, hallway or other room, (see Figure 3.8.5.2); or

(b) the room containing the closet pan is provided with mechanical exhaust ventilation.

Figure 3.8.5.1Method of determining areas of openings for borrowed ventilation

Figure 3.8.5.2Acceptable location of non-mechanically ventilated sanitary compartment

16

Funding has been provided by ADHC for the production of 10 different Safe & Sustainable Gardening booklets re�ecting ten botanical regions of NSW

The project has been coordinated by Blue Mountains HMMS.

SAFE & SUSTAINABLE GARDENING BOOKLETS

The booklets are due for print and release to the level 1 services in the HMMS industry.The aim is to provide basic information to enable older people and people with disabilities to safely enjoy the bene�ts that gardening provides while also looking after the environment.NSW may be broadly divided into coastal, tablelands, western slopes, western plains and far western plains regions. The boundaries of these regions in our booklets follow the botanical divisions and subdivisions of NSW.For example, Orange HMMS will have some clients who live in the Central Tablelands and some clients who live in the Western Slopes regions. Services that have more than one botanical region relevant to their service will be given a map showing the boundaries of the botanical regions in their area.

SAFE & SUSTAINABLE GARDENING package will contain:

1. Copies of the booklet/s relevant to your service.2. An electronic copy of the booklet. This will also be available on the NSW HMMS State Council website.3. A training kit. This will contain a CD with:• Training for you and your staff on how to use the booklet and how to show your clients.• How to promote the booklet.• How to set up your own contact & resource list.• How to update your booklet when needed. • How to get the booklet funded for printing. 17

Under the current funding agreement with ADHC, obligations are included to meet legislation and regulations including fire safety requirements. All HMMS should locate the key elements of fire safety expected under NSW legislation and consider their current operations and environment in regard to fire safety and undertake any necessary actions to ensure these obligations are met.

It is important to note that confirmation of compliance with fire safety requirements will need to be included in your 2012 Annual Compliance Return.

For more detailed information about these requirements, please see www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0015/251232/Fire_Safety- NGO_Premises_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Fire Safety

18

In partnership with National Disability Services, ADHC is providing training and resources to ensure that organisations have effective leaders and good governance practices in place.

Ensuring organisations are well governed with robust employment practices and with the right people in the right positions is known as probity in employment.

To this end, ADHC is setting clearer expectations of funded organisations in regard to probity in employment while maintaining its commitment to reducing red tape.

To support the NSW Ombudsman’s report Improving probity standards for funded organisations, ADHC will incorporate baseline probity

checking requirements into future funding agreements. In their Annual Compliance Returns, organisations will need to provide assurance that these requirements are being met. This will include full criminal record, referee and previous employment checks for employees, management committee members with significant responsibilities as well as tailored probity checking for other volunteers and contractors.

For further information go to: www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/a s s e t s / f i l e / 0 0 2 0/ 2 4 1 3 5 5 /Probity_in_Employment_Position_Statement.pdf

You may also contact your regional ADHC contract manager who will be able to assist you.

The NSW Government is providing $2 million over three years to subsidise the purchase of specialised smoke alarms for the hearing or visually impaired.

HMMS clients who are deaf, deaf blind or severely hard of hearing should be made aware that, if they don’t have a working fire alarm in their home, they are twice as likely to die in a house fire as one cannot smell smoke when sleeping. The problem is made worse for people with hearing difficulties as they cannot hear standard smoke alarms and specialised alarms are very expensive.

Under the scheme, smoke alarms are available to them at a much reduced cost of $50 and at no cost if financial

hardship is e s t a b l i s h e d . A range of smoke alarms are being offered to cater for different needs including alarms that vibrate under pillow pads and those with strobe lights.

For further information and how to apply for the Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme, contact the Deaf Society of NSW who is implementing the Scheme. Their website has videos for deaf people explaining the Scheme and the different kinds of alarms available at www.deafsocietynsw.org.au/smokealarms/

The Deaf Society of NSW TTY: (02) 8833 3691 Ph: (02) 8833 3600

ADHC NEWS

Probity in Employment for ADHC Funded Organisations

Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme

19

Q. How long have you been with HMMS? A. About 7 years subcontracting and 7 months employed

Q. If you could invite two people past or present to dinner, who would you ask? A. Graham Kennedy and Kelly Slater

Q. My family consists of? A. Sheila my wife, daughter Jennifer 26 and son Andrew 21

Q. Favourite holiday destination? A. Great Barrier Reef

Q. Favourite food? A. Ship and Shore

Q. Book reading at present? A. AS1428

Q. Favourite movie? A. Guns of Navarone

Q. Best piece of advice you have been given? A. Keep it simple – if you can’t hide it, emphasize it

Q. Last $5 what would you buy? A. Peanuts

Q. Favourite type of music to listen to? A. 70s, 80s and 90s

Q. Play an instrument? A. No

Q. Play a sport/ follow which sport/ team you follow? A. Now and again / golf, water and snow skiing / my son’s soccer team

Q. If you could fill someone’s shoes for the day, whose would you like to fill? A. None, happy with mine

Q. Most influential person in your life? A. My wife

Q. Your moral in life is…? A. To be honest with myself and others

Q. Type of car you drive? A. Honda MDX

Q. Dumbest decision you have made is when I…? A. Never made a dumb decision, just a lot I regretted later

Q. Tea or coffee or hot chocolate? A. Coffee

Q. Best thing about working in the HMMS industry? A. Peoples’ (clients and their carers) outward emotions at being helped.

Q. What do you do to relax? A. Sit on front balcony and watch the world go by (with a beer)

Q. Your interests and hobbies include… A. Soccer, surfing, water and snow skiing, gardening etc. and of course my wife.

Staff Profile.

Stephen MillsIn October last year, Stephen joined the staff of NSW HMMS State Council to assist with the large number of inspections required for major modifications.

ATO Self-Governance ChecklistFollowing consultation with various organisations across the sector, the Australian Tax Office has designed a new check-list to assist not-for-profit organisations to support their governance approach to tax and superannuation. It will help HMMS to identify, assess and avoid material tax and super risks and

help to maintain high standards of compliance. By completing the check-list you will ensure your Management Committee is better informed and that your HMMS is successfully managing the risks that may impact on its reputation and work.

What’s on the WorkCover websiteThe WorkCover website is regularly being updated with new information on work, health and safety legislation. You can find details of upcoming events, subscribe to WorkCover eNews, register for the WorkCover RSS feed or choose to follow WorkCover through Facebook or Twitter.

The website gives detailed information for employers and workers. Some examples include:

• how WorkCover can help in the event of a work related injury or disease;

• Occupational Health and Safety or Workers Compensation Training and assessment;

• general information about the rights of employers and workers under the workers compensation and OH&S laws;

• workers compensation dispute resolution;

• dangers of construction work;

• general workplace management;

• online training (webinairs);

• and much much more.

The National Compact is an agreement between the Australian Government and the not-for-profit sector to find new and better ways of working together based on mutual trust, respect and collaboration.

The Compact was co-created two years ago by the Government and a broad range of not-for-profit organisations following extensive consultation. It is based upon a shared vision, purpose, principles and aspirations. Implementation of the Compact is focused on eight priority actions and is aligned with the government’s reform agenda relating to the not-for-profit sector and social inclusion.

For detail of the eight priority actions and about the National Compact see www.nationalcompact.gov.au/compact/about-national-compact

For more information about the check-list, see www.ato.gov.au/nonprofit/content.aspx?doc=/content/00292727.htm

Go to www.workcover.nsw.gov.au 21

Guide for Community Board Members

Produced by Westpac, this Guide is designed to help build the financial capacity of Australia’s community groups and not-for-profit or-

ganisations. It covers advice about financial reporting, cash or accrual accounting, practical applications in financial

planning and budgeting, troubleshooting and community solutions for the not-for-profit sector.

Together with is companion volume, the Guide for Community Treasurers, it is part of Westpac’s contribution to the community

sector to assist organisations to operate effectively in a complex and changing financial environment.

To view the Guide, see www.westpac.com.au/docs/pdf/bb/guide_communityboard.pdf

Financial Literacy for Community Groups

Proudly supported by:

Guide for Community Board Members.

WELDING TRAINING

WORKSHOP

The workshop has been designed for those builders, carpenters and handymen with no welding experience to MIG weld galvanised hand rails.

The one day course will consist of a theoretical component followed by a practical hands-on session.

Topics will include:

• Welding safety

• Equipment familiarisation

• Transporting equipment

• Environmental considerations

• Equipment set-up on site

• Welding processes

• Identification of poor welds and imperfections

The NSW HMMS State Council is seekingexpressions of interest for those who would

benefit from attending a “MIG welding galvanised handrails” workshop training session.

An additional competency-based assessment can be carried out at a later date if required.

The course will be limited to six attendees only and the venue will be located in the region most convenient to those attending.

The cost $250

Be quick to register your name for this opportunity to learn a very useful skill.

Please contact Phil Zuber [email protected] to register your interest.

Don’t forget to express your interest for the MIG welding galvanised handrails workshop training.

Please contact Phil Zuber [email protected] to register your interest.

22

Steve Mills attended the Healthy Ageing Expo in Gundagai for the NSW HMMS State Council. It was held at the Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre on 21st March 2012 and here is Steve’s report on a most successful day.

The Expo consisted of around 16 exhibitors including Diabetes Australia and the Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre. Ms Noeline Brown, the Ambassador for Ageing, spoke to visitors to the Expo.

State Council shared a booth with Andrew Miller’s Gundagai local HMMS. There was a constant flow of visitors throughout the morning with around 40 people stopping to view our slide show and coming to the stand to ask questions. The majority were interested in grab rails and slip resistant surface coatings for existing tile floors.

The interest shown in the Expo by such excellent public attendance made the efforts of organisers so worthwhile. For me, it was great to visit a regional area, mix with the locals and see the great work the Level one Gundagai HMMS is achieving.

Gundagai Healthy Ageing Expo

23

Proudly represent ing Home Modi f icat ion and Maintenance Serv ices across NSW

For an overview of the Conference please go to Training and Events at www.nswhmms.org

The New South Wales Home Modification and Maintenance Services State Council is the peak

organisation proudly representing HMMS across New South Wales.

PO Box 45, Lismore, NSW, 2480Phone: (02) 6622 8386

Fax: (02) 6622 8693

email: [email protected] www.nswhmms.org

© copyright 2012 NSW HMMS State Council Inc.

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