Update as at 5.30pm, Thursday 27 May 2021

We have sought further clarification from the Department of Health. They have advised that the recent directives for private practice myotherapy services, like all other allied health, is as follows:

- Routine care is not permitted

- Telehealth services must be preferred as the first option for care delivery and provided where and as appropriate

- Carefully assess your patient list and postpone care or refer care to Telehealth or other virtual care.

 - Face to face care should be considered only if providing essential clinical care where Telehealth services is not clinically appropriate.

What is defined as ‘essential clinical care’:
Essential clinical care only applies if face to face Myotherapy consultation/treatment will “prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence necessitating escalation of care (e.g. a requirement for specialist input/review, an increase in care needs and/or alternate accommodation, avoiding a hospital admission or emergency department presentation)”

It is important to note that these circuit breaker measures are taken in an effort to reduce movement amongst the community, allow time for contact tracers to undertake their role and minimise the chance of the virus spreading further.

We must all play our role in keeping the people of Victoria safe.

For a detailed overview of the changes, please see the summary of circuit breaker restrictions and the authorised providers and authorised worker list.

We understand this is a difficult time for our members and all Victorian's and we encourage you to reach out to friends and family for support if you need it. Lifeline has options for calling and texting if you need further support - 13 11 14.

Update as at 1.46pm, Thursday 27 May 2021

For full detail of the Acting Premiers statement please click here.

In essence, the advice is as follows:

* Telehealth and other virtual care options are the only options for Myotherapists in private practice (including home-based practices). Please note, routine care is not permitted under any circumstances.

Click here to view the Telepractice Guidelines for more information on how this could be implemented in your practice.

A summary of the full advice received from the Department of Health is outlined below: A Definition of Authorised Workers pertains to work considered essential and includes:

* the continued operation of Allied Health students on placements, when undertaking critical training and examinations

* Allied Health working in private or public community services, whether clinic or home-based, providing essential clinical care where telehealth services are not clinically appropriate. e.g orthotists and prosthetists providing services such as fitting a brace post-surgery

* immunisation and vaccination providers including pharmacy immunisers and Aboriginal Healthcare Workers.

For this purpose, essential clinical care is defined as:

* to prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence which would result in an escalation of care needs (e.g. an increase in frequency of treatment needed, an increased need for prescription medication due to a significant increase in pain, requirement for specialist input or review, an increase in care needs, and/or a substantial increase to anticipated recovery time associated with a delay in receiving services)

* to provide assessment and diagnostic services to clients / patients whose care have been delayed as a result of previous restrictions, with any further delay likely to result in deterioration in functional independence or adverse health outcomes (including access to diagnostic imaging services or assessment for prescription of assistive equipment and technology)

* to provide services that are essential as part of a broader plan of care with a medical practitioner (e.g. fitting a brace post-surgery)

* to provide services that are part of a conservative management plan to avoid or delay elective surgery (as agreed with treating team)

* to provide services immediately following elective surgery that prevents secondary complications or aids functional recovery (as agreed with treating team).

 A Definition of Authorised Health Services

* Pharmacy and urgent services are permitted to open under circuit breaker restrictions.

* Allied Health services provided by allied health professionals working as authorised workers in hospitals or in residential care facilities providing critical clinical care or as directed by the hospital; or

* Allied Health workers professionals working in private or public community services, whether clinic-based or home-based, providing essential clinical care where telehealth services are not clinically appropriate; or

* Allied Health services provided by allied health professionals working in private practice providing care through telehealth and other virtual care options

* Allied Health professionals providing mental health services in hospital; or

* Allied Health professionals providing mental health services in community settings by telehealth, or by face-to-face (but only for urgent care where telehealth is not clinically appropriate)

* Students, medical/nursing/midwifery/allied health on placement providing authorised care in hospitals or in residential care facilities, or through telehealth.

We understand this is a difficult time for our members and all Victorian's and we encourage you to reach out to friends and family for support if you need it. Lifeline has options for calling and texting if you need further support - 13 11 14.

Click here to view information on vaccinations:

* COVID-19 vaccines - your questions answered (webinar for healthcare workers)

* Where to get the COVID-19 vaccination