CORONAVIRUS

Government provides free online training.

COVID-19 infection control training https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-infection-control-training

Infection Prevention and Control eLearning Modules https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/infection-prevention-and-control-elearning-modules

MA endorsed professional development partners  – view our endorsed PD partners for online activity

https://www.myotherapy.org.au/membership/professional-development/accredited-pd/

In light of the current situation, the Board have granted an exemption of the mandatory four (4) Formal PD points for this 2019-2020 membership cycle for all members. See our online store for more PD options here.

In light of the current situation, the Board have granted an exemption of the dry needling PDP requirements for this 2019-2020 membership cycle for all members.

Members are required to obtain 20 PDP prior to August 31st, 2020 as part of your obligations for continuing membership registration.

The Board has determined that all 20 points can be within the informal category for this 2019-2020 membership cycle for all members. A comprehensive list of informal PDP activity can be found in Appendices 4-7 of your MA PD guidelines. It is important that you consider your informal PD activity to determine that it meets the MA PD Guidelines.

MA’s PD and Events committees will be working closely with our staff to update our online store to continue to bring you current, relevant and exciting evidence-informed material.

PD exemptions may still apply for exceptional circumstances. All applications for exemptions must be submitted to [email protected]

MA will allow membership renewals for members whose first aid has expired after 12 March 2020. Please note this waiver is temporary and we will need to review it as life returns to normal post-Covid19.

All Private Health Insurer funds have granted a temporary amnesty on renewal requirements for expired first aid certification up until 31st August, 2020. The amnesty will be reviewed on a monthly basis and notifications to members provided.

For members in regions restricted to tighter lockdowns, you are encouraged to enrol in an accredited refresher program, and even if this is postponed beyond your expiry date, health funds will acknowledge proof of enrolment and your provider numbers and membership will not be impacted.

ARHG have advised the following:

VIC ONLY – due to the current pandemic situation in Victoria, ARHG will extend the amnesty for renewing First Aid to 31 December 2020 (keeping in mind, we would expect providers to renew earlier if circumstances permit).

All other states – It is expected that providers who reside in all other states (excluding Victoria) will have renewed their First Aid certification by 30th September 2020.. If providers have not renewed their certification by this time, they will be removed from the ARHG provider list until their certificate is renewed. Please note, for those providers who are removed from the provider list due to expired first aid, you will not be eligible for a backdate when your first aid is updated.

The Board has made the difficult, but we believe necessary, decision to postpone a number of formal PD events currently scheduled on the MA Calendar.

At this stage we are in discussions with event facilitators to arrange alternate dates for those events that have been postponed so that we can provide new dates as soon as this information becomes available.

MA has taken the position to postpone any formal events until after 1st October. However, based on Government recommendations, these dates may be subject to change.

For those of you who have pre-purchased tickets for any upcoming MA run face-to-face events, a member of our staff will contact you to discuss your options for maintaining your event registration and applying it to a new date, transferring your ticket to another event, or a refund.

We appreciate that these unprecedented events are presenting financial challenges for many members. Members who may experience difficulty committing to membership renewal payments come August 31st, 2020 are encouraged to contact our team so that we can discuss what options are available.

Federal and State Governments have announced, and are continuing to announce stimulus packages. Stay informed by visiting business.gov.au

In addition to this, the below dedicated JobKeeper hotlines that have been established by the major banks and should be operational from this morning.

CBA: 13 26 07

ANZ: 1800 571 123

NAB: 1800 JOBKEEPER

Westpac: Westpac 1300 731 073 / St George 1300 730 196 / Bank of Melbourne 1300 784 873 / Bank SA 1300 669 472

Other assistance avenues are also available and we have provided links below to assist you.

At this stage we ask for your understanding. We are currently experiencing an unprecedented number of phone calls and emails. We have a small staff and a limited number of telephone lines. We are doing our very best to answer your calls and respond to emails.

Please be patient and respectful with our staff.

In addition to answering your calls and emails, we are working together with other allied health provider groups to obtain updated guidance and advice from the various governments that focuses on the specific needs of allied health in primary practice.

We are looking at setting up two member Q&A teleconferences in the very near future:

1 – economic stimulus package and other assistance for myotherapists
2 – covid19 issues impacting myotherapists

Stay tuned – we will inform you as soon as we have more details.

Victorian government advice on non-essential business closure https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/202003/Directions-Non-Essential-Business-Closure.pdf

Coronavirus at a glance https://images.theconversation.com/files/321864/original/file-20200320-22590-jigu0s.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=1681&fit=crop&dpr=1

PM’s latest economic stimulus announcement https://www.pm.gov.au/media/supporting-australian-workers-and-business

Federal Treasurer’s announcements https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/josh-frydenberg-2018/media-releases

William Buck FAQs on Covid-19 Economic Stimulus package

Assistance For Small Business https://www.cosboa.org.au/covid-19

If you have already had to make the tough decision to stand your staff down, please consider providing them with a letter such as this, as it will be required if asked, for Centrelink benefits. For further info see Fairwork site.