AT Practitioner news
SWEP Communique - SWEP update regarding review of the Home Modifications Panel
17 April 2019
Following development of a revised operating model for its administration of Home Modifications, the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) established a panel of providers, known as the SWEP Builders and Tradespersons Panel. An open Expression of Interest process was undertaken and the Panel commenced operation in October 2017.
At its outset, the SWEP Builders and Tradespersons Panel sought improved reliability, accessibility, safety, capability, accountability, value and consumer outcomes in home modifications and greater protection for home owners. SWEP wishes to acknowledge the enthusiasm, commitment and support the SWEP Builders and Tradespersons Panel have provided to SWEP and our consumers since inception.
Following significant feedback and analysis of the Panel arrangement, SWEP has subsequently undertaken an extensive review of the SWEP Builders & Tradespersons Panel. Factors impacting the Panel have been varied, and both external and internal stakeholder feedback has been considered in this review. Common themes as well as stakeholder specific issues have emerged.
SWEP Communique - Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program
25 March 2019
In February 2019, SWEP released a communique advising that due to increased demand on the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP) we would need to waitlist applications for funding. At that time we also advised that we would send gap confirmation forms to consumers prior to placing them on the waitlist or raising an order.
A further review of our processes has now been undertaken following extensive feedback received from AT Practitioners. Effective immediately we will no longer be using or sending out gap forms for these applications. Those consumers who have already received a gap form will be notified of this change (along with their Practitioner), with their application transitioning straight to the waitlist.
SWEP Communique - Chemtronics Employment Opportunity
19 March 2019
We are trying to fill a critical role in our SWEP re-issue service at Chemtronics. This role supports OT's and Physio's prescribing complex power and manual wheelchairs.
We are seeking applications from interested practitioners who may wish to consider a 12 month role / secondment (maternity leave replacement).
SWEP Communique - Language & Database Revisions
12 March 2019
SWEP is in the process of adopting new language to ensure our terminology is reflective of contemporary practice. Some of these changes are already in development and others are planned for in our on-line application forms and Practitioner (Prescriber) frameworks. You will see these changes take place over the coming weeks. These changes will occur across our website, Practitioner Portal and correspondence from SWEP via emails, letters, communiques etc.
SWEP Practitioner Communique
1 March 2019
Dear SWEP Practitioners
We have recently become aware of the below advice on the
NDIA website that may be useful and below is a summary of this.
We have recently identified advice about options for
practitioners and participants in relation to both the process for and
enquiries about assistive technology and home modifications for NDIS
participants.
AT assessor, (practitioner) reports and quotes should be
emailed direct to the relevant regional AT email inbox for Level 1 & 2 AT
requests. Regional AT email inboxes addresses can be found here. Please note
that SWEP can still manage Level 1 & 2 AT requests for NDIS participants,
but this is entirely up to each participant.
SWEP Non-Customised Equipment Tender Outcome - Communique# 2
22 February 2019
As per our previous communique, SWEP is
transitioning to our new 'non-customised' contracted equipment. The new items have
now been loaded into our database.
We have made some changes to our picklists and catalogues based on feedback we
have received, and in the interest of simplifying and streamlining this process
for everyone. They are still located in the same place under 'For Prescriber, Picklist
& Catalogue' on the website.
You will notice that we now have two picklists - one for contracted items
and one for non-contracted items (if you select an item from this picklist you
are required to provide a quote from your preferred Supplier).
SWEP Communique: Product Recall - Convatec Products
15 February 2019
SWEP has been advised of a recall of the below listed
Convatec products -
SWEP Non Customised Equipment Tender Outcome
15 February 2019
After a rigorous and robust evaluation process, SWEP is pleased to announce that the Non-Customised Equipment Tender is now complete. This has ensured that the equipment selected has been certified under the relevant Australian Standards, meets the specifications required by our consumer group and has been secured at the best value for money.
LCGP Communique - Intention to waitlist applications
12 February 2019
The State-wide Equipment Program has been
administering the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program since its transition
from Mercy Health in 2017.
The program covers 40% to 60% towards the
cost of compression garments for eligible consumers diagnosed with Lymphoedema.
In the past SWEP have been able to administer
the program with no waitlist, but unfortunately due to the high volume of
applications SWEP is receiving, as of January 2019 this will no longer be
possible.
Chemtronics Employment Opportunity
11 February 2019
Dear AT Practitioners,
An exciting opportunity is available for an Occupational
Therapist or Physiotherapist to work at Chemtronics Direct as part of the SWEP
and Chemtronics partnership.
The role is 12 month, part time (30 hours per week) contract
based in Thomastown.
SWEP Communique Database - Vehicle Modifications
1 February 2019
SWEP would like to thank you for your patience, as we make changes to the following category.
From Monday 4th February, 2019, when completing an application the new categories that you will choose are listed below.
Vehicle Modifications Category
- Vehicle Mods - Driver
- Vehicle Mods - Other (includes Passenger & Vehicle)
In application pre-screening the question " Are you a VicRoads assessor" has been removed.
Changes to Prescriber Credentials have also been modified to reflect the new categories.
If you have any queries with your credentials for Vehicle modifications please contact sue.vincent@bhs.org.au for further information.
SWEP Communique Database - Vehicle Modifications
25 January 2019
SWEP would like to thank you for your patience as we make changes to the Vehicle Modifications category.
As a result, you will be unable to select this category in the database from Friday, 25 January at 5pm.
SWEP Communique - Confirmation of Disability
5 December 2018
We have been working very hard on
improving our application process for all stakeholders, especially our Consumers and Prescribers.
Both
SWEP and the Department of
Health and Human Services recognise that the SWEP Prescriber
Registration and Credentialing Framework ensures that Prescribing
therapists have the skill and expertise
required to complete the "Confirmation of Disability" section of the
Eligibility form.
SWEP Communique - Funding Transition
25 October 2018
We are very excited to announce that we have recently received updated
information that relates to the communique released by DHHS on 28th
May 2018. This communique relates to the ongoing support of clients
transitioning to the NDIS. Since the release of this communique, DHHS
and SWEP have continued to discuss how the State can support clients
during their transition.
Continence Additional Product Requests
5 October 2018
Good Afternoon Continence Prescribers,
Recently some of you may
have been advised that SWEP require you to obtain a quote from
Independence Australia (IA) when submitting an additional product
request.
We have received some feedback regarding the additional
time this has taken you to obtain quotes from IA and have been working
with our developers to remedy this issue.
SWEP Communique - Announcing SWEP Clinical Advisors and Subject Matter Experts
10 September 2018
The SWEP
Clinical Advisory Panels consist of Clinical Advisors and Subject Matter
Experts who are recognised leaders in their clinical field and a critical
component of the clinical governance for SWEP.
The Clinical
Advisors and Subject Matter Experts support the function of the Chief Allied
Health Officer, SWEP by providing a panel of expert advice for each category of
assistive technology or key components of professional governance
SWEP Communique - Change to Reissue Database Login
29 August 2018
As a Prescriber, you have access to our Reissue
equipment via the Reissue database. This allows you to source for your client,
refurbished equipment that can be provided within 30 business days. Reissue
equipment has no wait time for funding and can help reduce gap amounts for
clients.
Independence Australia Closure - 30th August to 5th September 2018
24 August 2018
Independence Australia Closure - 30th
August to 5th September 2018
Independence
Australia have advised they are updating their systems and will be closed from
4pm Thursday 30th August and will reopen at 8am on Wednesday 5th
September 2018.
All orders placed
with Independence Australia after 5pm on Tuesday 28th of August will
not be processed until they reopen on the 5th of September.
SWEP Communique - New database Adding Supplier Quotes #15
13 August 2018
SWEP would like to thank you for your patience as we transition to
the new database.
- Additional
functionality with supplier quotes -
SWEP Communique - Prescriber Communication
10 July 2018
Feedback from the Chief Allied Health Officer re: Failed Scripts and New Prescription Forms
Dear Prescribers,
Thank
you for your feedback over the last week regarding my communique on
Prescriber accountabilities and failed scripts, as well as your feedback
regarding the new prescription forms.
SWEP remains committed to
continuous improvement based on the experiences and feedback of our
Prescribers. Please see below for an update and the immediate changes we
have made.
SWEP Communique - Prescriber Communication #6
6 July 2018
SWEP would like to thank you for your patience as we transition to the new database.
Communication
will continue over the coming weeks. We are listening to your feedback
and are committed to making improvements to the new database.
As
a result of your feedback information contained in an application has
been reviewed and we have commenced making improvements.
SWEP Database - Prescriber Communique #4
4 July 2018
SWEP would like to thank you for your patience as we transition to the
new database. We appreciate that that it is a new layout and it may take
some time to get used to the format. During the first couple of days
we have identified a couple of technical issues that SWEP are working to
resolve. Once these are rectified, we will send our further
communiques.
SWEP Database - Prescriber Communique #5 - Resolution to Database issues
4 July 2018
SWEP would like to thank you for your patience as we transition to the
new database. Please see below the following issues that were identified
in previous Communique.
SWEP Database & Prescriber Responsibilities - Prescriber Communique #3
29 June 2018
New Database
SWEP
have been communicating regularly with our prescribers about our new
database/Prescriber portal, which will go live Monday 2nd July 2018. The
new service will allow us to streamline our processes and create a more
user friendly Portal for our Prescribers and staff.
All
Prescribers will receive an automated email on Sunday 1st July 2018.
This will include your new user name and password to enable you to log
into the new Portal from Monday 2nd July for all new applications.
SWEP Database - Prescriber Communique #2
19 June 2018
As previously communicated SWEP is launching a new
database commencing 2nd July 2018. However, the transition involves a
high volume of data migration, from multiple sources. There will be a short-term,
but unavoidable disruption to our systems. We will keep the consequent disruption
to our services to a minimum.
Please read
this communique carefully