Dear Practitioner,
We would like to clarify which application category should be chosen when applying for a swivel bath chair as we are seeing different categories being selected for this item. We also understand that current practice is seeing the incorrect subsidy amount being provided.
This item could come under bathing or transfer but the intention of this item is to assist the consumer to transfer into the bath so please submit these requests on the transfer application/category. This allows us to apply a subsidy of $200 under basic transfer equipment.
Dear Practitioner,
We would like to remind our Practitioners the importance of checking the reissue database for equipment. Under the Victorian Aids & Equipment Guidelines, Practitioners are required to source re-issue as first option on all applications. Reissue applications are not waitlisted for funding and all applications are processed within 10 days of receipt.
Note: no consumer will be placed on the waiting list for the supply of new equipment if it has been identified that a reissue item is available.
We collect equipment daily from consumers which means the database is being updated regularly with new items. Whether you are submitting a new application or have a consumer on the waitlist we encourage you to review what's available.
Dear Practitioner,
From tonight you will notice some small changes to our application portal as follows:
Dear Practitioners,
Currently when a Practitioner applies for Laryngectomy consumables, the quote being submitted with the application is attached as a word document/screenshot.
You may have received phone calls from the SWEP team seeking clarification on quotes relating to itemised items, delivery costs, GST, ABN, Australian Standards compliance and other missing information, that can contribute to delays in orders being placed.
Dear Practitioners
We have received queries about the recent release of information by the Commonwealth Government in relation to the trial of the national provider of Goods Equipment & Assistive Technology (GEAT) and the intersect with our State funded programs.
While the Commonwealth Government has contracted six providers to the GEAT panel including the Statewide Equipment Program (SWEP), we understand that Indigo Australasia has been chosen as the national provider under the outlet name Australian GEAT2GO to supply, install and maintain a range of assistive technology items.
Dear LCGP Practitioner
Please note that we have received unprecedented demand over recent weeks for LCGP garments for your clients. The impact of this unexpected increase in demand, latest covid restrictions and both planned and unplanned leave in our team has resulted in a delay in processing applications. Please bear with us as we process these applications as quickly as we can.
Dear Practitioners
We have recently received some enquiries regarding our recent communications in relation to funding eligibility for consumers who have been accepted for a Home Care Package (HCP). We apologise for any confusion with our recent communique and provide this up-date as clarification.
We confirm that consumers on a Level 1 and 2 HCP remain eligible for Victorian Aids & Equipment Program (VA&EP) funding, with the exception of the domiciliary oxygen program.
Dear AT Practitioners
A recent audit of applications to the Aids & Equipment Program has identified that a number of practitioners have requested minor home modifications, including rails, to more than one bathroom or toilet.
As per previous communique's we would like to confirm that SWEP can only fund bed sticks that have a ball point or curved end and will not fund bed sticks that are single point without a ball point end.
We have conducted a review of applications and it appears that we have incorrectly accepted some applications for a Cobra bed stick, which do not meet the criteria for funding.
The SWEP portal will be unavailable on Saturday 24th July from 5pm - 10pm. Please ensure you are logged out prior to this time and any work is saved.
If you are still logged in you will be exited from the portal and any unsaved work may be lost.
We thank you for your patience.
Regards
SWEP Management Team
SWEP have been advised of a voluntary product recall notice for the
supplier Philips Australia.
Philips voluntarily decided to issue a global recall notification
related to sound abatement foam used in specific Philips Continuous Positive
Airway Pressure (CPAP), BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiLevel PAP) devices,
and Mechanical Ventilators.
SWEP is seeking expressions of interest from Lymphoedema Therapists and Speech Pathologists to join our expert Clinical Advisory Panel.
We are seeking highly experienced clinicians who can demonstrate a minimum 10 years of experience prescribing lymphoedema compression garments or experience in voice aids, voice prothesis and laryngectomy consumables. Clinicians should also be able to demonstrate participation in activities that contribute directly to maintaining their clinical competence and expertise.
Dear Practitioners
We have recently received some enquiries regarding home modifications funding in relation to home access points.
Under the Victorian Aids & Equipment Program (VA&EP) Guidelines, it has always been intended to provide a safe entry for one access point only to the dwelling, when applying funding for ramps, step modifications (for two or more steps including platform steps) and rails. Where a request is to allow access to a garage for means of accessing the community, this will also be seen as one access point to the dwelling.
| Each year almost 1,000 Australians are admitted to hospital for a possible mobility scooter-related injury |
Dear Practitioner
Our Continence Program supplier Independence Australia have advised us of the following short term closure due to a system upgrade:
We wish to advise of our closure from: 5pm Thursday April 22 to 8am Wednesday April 28
The way that custom-made medical devices are regulated is changing.
A new framework for regulating personalised medical devices will commence on 25 February 2021. Under the new framework most custom-made medical devices that are currently supplied in Australia will no longer be exempt from inclusion in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Any devices that will continue to be exempt will need to meet new requirements. If you manufacture, import or supply a custom-made medical device, you will be impacted by the changes and should review the guidance available on the TGA's website.
