AT Practitioner news
SWEP Communique - Continence Subsidy Update
20 July 2020
SWEP has recently reviewed the Victorian Aids & Equipment Program Operational Policies with regard to how the funding subsidy is applied in the Continence Aids Program. Our Operational Policies confirm that each eligible VA&EP consumer can access up to $1,200 over a 12-month period toward the cost of the items listed in the Operational Policies. This is from the date of their first application
SWEP Communique - SWEP Staff Working Remotely
16 July 2020
SWEP would like to provide an update on how we are working during the COVID 19 restrictions.
As some of you would be aware SWEP shifted to having staff working from home, where possible, in late March. This had an impact on our phone systems and how we manage our calls. Since late March callers have had to leave messages and wait for a return call from our staff, with many people experiencing delays in speaking directly with a staff member. We wanted to say thank you for your patience during these difficult times and acknowledge there has been frustration for some people in making contact with our service.
SWEP Communique - Continence Aids Program supplier update
29 June 2020
The State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) currently administers the Continence Aids Program for the Department of Health & Human Services for eligible State funded consumers. SWEP also provides continence services to NDIS participants and privately funded consumers.
SWEP has recently completed a robust tender procurement process as the current contract for supply of these items is due to end on 30 June 2020.
SWEP Communique - TAC and SWEP expansion of OT credentialing
8 June 2020
Last year, the TAC partnered with the State-Wide Equipment Program (SWEP) to manage the registration and credentialing of occupational therapists providing services for the TAC. Initially this was only used for OT's providing TAC services related to the assessment and provision of assistive technology.
SWEP expansion of occupational therapy credentialing
In response to sector feedback and engagement with the OTA, from 17th August 2020, SWEP credentialing will be extended to all other essential OT services for those OT's providing services to TAC clients.
These services are reflected in a new SWEP category, 'Capacity and Performance Evaluation" (CAPE) which includes OT treatment and treatment plans, as well as capacity based assessments and reviews.
SWEP Communique - Laryngectomy Consumables Program
3 June 2020
SWEP have recently received enquiries in relation to the Laryngectomy Consumables Program (LCP) and how the funding subsidy is applied. As per the Operational Guidelines for this program each LCP consumer can access up to $5,000 over a 12-month period towards the cost of the items listed in the Operational Policies.
SWEP Communique - Update on management of Voice Aids & Laryngectomy Applications
24 April 2020
Dear Practitioner
Voice Aids and Laryngectomy applications will now be managed by the SWEP Assistive Technology team rather than the Oxygen team. There is no change to how you submit your applications, but we now ask that you please refer any queries to the AT Team, as follows:
Email: swepat@bhs.org.au
Ph: 1300 747 937 and choose option 4 for the all other equipment enquiries (Assistive Technology team)
Regards
SWEP Management Team
SWEP Communique - Contacting the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) as the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Situation Evolves
1 April 2020
As the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation evolves and as the Victorian Government introduces stricter social distancing laws, SWEP has now taken further measures to allow for our entire workforce to work from home, whilst maintaining continuity of services for our consumers.
Within the next two business days our phone system will revert to mobile phones, which will be manned remotely. You can still reach us on 1300 747 937, where two dedicated team members will take urgent messages to pass onto the applicable teams.
SWEP Communique - COVID-19 Oxygen Supply
26 March 2020
Dear Practitioners
SWEP have been working with our Clinical Advisors to ensure we have measures in place to support our consumers and practitioners as we navigate the challenges presenting with the COVID virus.
Wherever possible, compliance to TSANZ Position Paper recommendations for home oxygen supply should be maintained. We do understand that some services are now being prioritized around COVID-19 and are implementing processes to ensure your patients are not at risk and that we ensure continuity of supply with oxygen equipment.
SWEP Communique - COVID-19 Continence Supply
26 March 2020
Dear Practitioners
SWEP have been working to ensure we have measures in place to support our consumers and Practitioners as we navigate the challenges presenting with the COVID pandemic.
Wherever possible, compliance with SWEP normal processes should be adhered to. SWEP recognises that many organisations will not be operating within business as usual practice.
SWEP are implementing processes to ensure our consumers are not compromised and that we ensure continuity of supply for continence items where we can.
SWEP Communique - Orthotics Update March 2020
17 March 2020
Dear AT Practitioner
This communique includes information for you about:
- What can be funded by the Victorian Aids & Equipment Program (VA&EP)
- Clarification about fitting and shipping charges
- Use of the SWEP quotation template
- Changes to inclusion of AOPA registration number on quotation template (where relevant) 'Grandfather' clause for applications received prior to January 1, 2020.
This communique follows on from the information we provided to you in late November 2019. We
received valuable feedback at that time and wish to provide some further updates. We hope this makes
it clearer to understand what you can apply for and who is eligible for assistance through VA&EP. SWEP
is committed to providing equitable access to eligible Victorians across all equipment categories and
these changes have been made accordingly.
The Lymphoedema Practitioners Education Group of Victoria - An invitation
18 December 2019
The Lymphoedema Practitioners Education Group of Victoria
Invites you to a Continuing Professional Development event.
SWEP Communique - Updated Standard for Practitioner Registration and Credentialing
12 December 2019
SWEP is committed to ongoing quality and improvement, and we are pleased to advise that we have reviewed and updated The Standard for registration and credentialing with SWEP. We believe these changes will make it much easier for practitioners to understand what is required of them and to navigate the resources and application types.
This Standard has been released and is now published on the SWEP website https://swep.bhs.org.au
SWEP Communique - Reminder to Update your TAC Preferences
4 December 2019
As per our communique released on the 25th of September, SWEP have partnered with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to provide a registration and credentialing service for all Occupational Therapists (OT's) currently providing services to the TAC.
As part of this partnership, SWEP are sharing with the TAC information about the work location, contact details and credentialing levels of our registered OT's to enable the TAC to contact you and determine if you have the capacity to provide TAC services in your area.
Performance Report Card November 2019
2 December 2019
We have collated the data for November 2019 and presented the achievements of each program for this month. Every month we will provide information about each program.
SWEP Communique - Orthoses Update
29 November 2019
Dear AT Practitioner
We are writing to you to clarify Victorian Aids & Equipment Program (VA&EP) funding availability for the Orthoses category.
We have reviewed current practice in relation to our orthoses application management following the release of the VA&EP Operational Policies (July 2019) and the SWEP team's organisational restructure. In addition, we have consulted with professional associations and our Clinical Advisors.
Performance Report Card October 2019
1 November 2019
We have collated the data for October 2019 and presented the achievements of each program for this month. Every month we will provide information about each program.
Medical Grade Sheepskin to be added to SWEP picklist
28 October 2019
The Statewide Equipment Program (SWEP) is committed to providing consumers with access to a range of assistive technology items that are evidence based and suitable for various environments and presenting scenarios
SWEP Communique - Updating Practitioner Organisation Details
25 October 2019
As per our communique released on the 25th of September, SWEP have partnered with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to provide a registration and credentialing service for all Occupational Therapists (OT's) currently providing services to the TAC.
As part of this service, the TAC have access to a SWEP 'geo-locator' tool that facilitates the matching of suitably qualified and skilled OT's with TAC consumers.
SWEP Communique - Independence Australia Closure - Change of Date
23 October 2019
Change of Date - Independence Australia Closure 8th Nov - 12th Nov 2019
Further to our communique released on the 15th of October, SWEP have been notified that the upgrade of Independence Australias online web store has now been delayed until November.
SWEP Communique - Supra-plus catheters update
16 October 2019
Dear Continence Practitioners,
On the 29th August, I wrote to you advising that SWEP was unable to fund open tip / supra-plus catheters for urethral use if this was not part of the items' TGA approval or manufacturer guidelines.
Some of you have raised concerns about how this might impact your clients who have had a lot of success with these catheters being used urethrally.
SWEP Communique - Laryngectomy Consumables Program - Online Applications
16 October 2019
SWEP is pleased to announce that applications for funding assistance through the Laryngectomy Consumables Program can now be submitted online. As such, paper applications for this program will no longer be accepted after October 31, 2019.
SWEP Communique - Independence Australia Closure
15 October 2019
Independence Australia Closure 18th - 22nd October 2019
Independence Australia have advised that they will be updating their online web store this month. As a result, the online store and Customer Service Centre will be closed from 4pm on Friday the 18th of October and will reopen at 8am on Tuesday the 22nd of October 2019.
SWEP Communique - Practitioner Resources
9 October 2019
SWEP is committed to supporting AT Practitioners to assist consumers with the provision of Assistive Technology. Under the ' AT Practitioners' section of the SWEP website, you will find a variety of links available to help in this area.
Performance Report Card September 2019
1 October 2019
We have collated the data for September 2019 and presented the achievements of each program for this month. Every month we will provide information about each program.
Announcement of Partnership with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
25 September 2019
What's happening?
SWEP is excited to announce that the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has chosen to partner with SWEP to provide a registration and credentialing service for all Occupational Therapists (OT's) currently providing services to the TAC.
