eNews Spring 2021

Register for one of our interactive sessions to learn more about EnableNSW Online

A dedicated EnableNSW project team, including in-house web developers, are making great progress on the upcoming online application platform, EnableNSW Online. In the second half of 2022, clinicians will have the opportunity to register for a self-service account and begin submitting requests online.

“We’re doing away with paper forms” said Jackie Hiller, Manager EnableNSW

“As part of our 2020-2024 strategy, we are committed to improving the application process for clinicians; ensuring we provide a seamless, easy to use online platform that gives clinicians the right tools to prescribe equipment and support people within their clinical service”.

The team will run six interactive sessions commencing 23 November 2021 to give clinicians the opportunity to view the progress so far and provide feedback during the session.

“The engagement piece in this project is fundamental to ensuring we’re developing a system that is fit for purpose and will meet most needs of our prescribing clinicians. These webinars are critical to ensuring we’re on the right track” said Lucy Thomson, EnableNSW Senior Project Manager

Registering for a session must be done through the EnableNSW Online registration page by 19 November 2021.

For more information about EnableNSW Online and ways to get involved in the project, please email HSNSW-EnableComms@health.nsw.gov.au.

We’re now accepting requests for Mechanical In-Exsufflation devices

The EnableNSW team are now accepting applications for Mechanical in-exsufflation (MIE) devices through the EnableNSW Home Respiratory Program (HRP) as a result of a successful pilot.

“The MIE pilot demonstrated great partnership with patients and clinicians, with data showing since commencing MIE on a daily basis at home, an average reduction in two hospital admissions per person per year, as well as a reduction of 2.11 GP visits and 1.67 reduction in antibiotic courses” said Daniel Flunt, Senior Clinical Advisor, Home Respiratory Program.

“There was also an overwhelmingly positive response from patients and their carers in how much better the patient’s breathing felt and what they were able to do since commencing home MIE” he continued.

Physiotherapists with experience in treating and managing people on MIE devices can now use the MIE Equipment Request Form together with the EnableNSW Application Form to submit a request. The MIE Funding Criteria which was developed in consultation with a technical working group of expert clinicians outlines further detail on clinical eligibility and requirements. Please note that people are eligible to apply for the Home Respiratory Program, regardless of their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) status.

In the meantime, if you can’t find what you’re looking for on the EnableNSW website, please contact a Respiratory Clinical Advisor at enable@health.nsw.gov.au or 1800 362 253 (Option 3).

SASH Home Modifications Program continues to deliver positive patient outcomes

Since relaunching the SASH Home Modifications (HM) Program in July 2021, enquiries and requests have been coming in fast, with 71 home modification requests already approved.

“We are continuing to see an upward trend in the volume of calls and emails we are receiving” said Jemma Burns, Senior Clinical Advisor EnableNSW

“Following the relaunch, we’ve heard from so many clinicians and patients alike who have shared stories about the benefits of this program. When you hear people telling you they feel so much safer in their home, it gives you a great sense of accomplishment”.

Patient outcomes as well as clinician experiences will be a focus area over the next six months, and clinicians will be strongly encouraged to complete an evaluation for each modification completed. The data from these evaluations will be critical to the team’s application for ongoing funding beyond June 2022.

“We know clinicians highly value this program, however without the data it’s extremely difficult to show the tangible benefits to patients, clinicians and the health system more broadly” said Jemma.

Clinicians should call and speak to a SASH HM advisor or send an email to HSNSW-Enable.SASHhomemods@health.nsw.gov.au before submitting any forms. All SASH HM forms have recently been updated and will be provided following a phone consultation.

For more information about the EnableNSW SASH HM Program visit www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/services/home-modifications-sash.

New equipment added to the standard stock range

The EnableNSW Equipment Allocation Program (EAP) has recently been expanded to include new items, including bariatric equipment. The new additions are a result of prescriber demand and trends, and ensure the range continues to meet the broad equipment needs of people in the community.

The new range includes the Sara Stedy stand and transfer aid, the Aspire MAXI over-toilet aid, Forte Sovereign 4-layer foam mattress and the Forte Zephair air/foam mattress.

Additionally, clinicians can expect to see the Permobil M3 power wheelchair and more bariatric equipment added to the range in the coming months, including the Aspire Evoke 2 HD self-propelling manual wheelchair, the Pride 1450 power wheelchair and the Aspire Maxi Lifestyle Community Bed.

“We’re constantly evaluating our stock range at the EnableNSW Equipment Centre to meet the changing needs of people in the community” said Louise Mather-Mullard, Manager Clinical Services EnableNSW.

“Our data trends are one of the ways we can identify which equipment lines are in high demand versus those that have a lower turnover. We’re also using other methods such as evaluation surveys to help us make the right decisions, so we’re really keen to hear from clinicians who have used the EAP as well as those who are not familiar with the program”.

The EAP survey is open to all clinicians who support people with their self-care and mobility needs, and will close 19 November 2021.

For more information on the EAP visit www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/services/eap or call 1800 362 253 (option 6).

Phase one of the Philips Rectification Plan now underway

In July this year, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released two Product Defect Corrections on a range of Philips respiratory care and sleep devices, including CPAP machines, nocturnal bi-level ventilators (BiPAP machines), and a continuous life support ventilator.

Since then, a HealthShare NSW team including EnableNSW representatives have been working closely with the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), clinical experts and NSW Health representatives as part of an Interagency Management Team (IMT). These meetings are designed to advise the CEC’s state-wide risk assessment, issue a Safety Alert, guide the management approach, and provide input into the Philips Rectification Plan.

“For the past seven months, we have been meeting daily with Philips to work through issues and potential risks relating to this issue” said Dr Carly Hollier, Respiratory Advisor EnableNSW.

“Our collaborative approach has allowed us to advocate for our patients and be involved in the decision making process from early on. Our main priority has always been the safety of our patients and ensuring the advice we are sharing aligns with the TGA and CEC”.

The Philips Rectification Plan has recently been finalised with phase one (of three) due to commence later this year and continue into 2022. Philips have already started contacting HealthShare NSW patients with Dreamstation CPAP, BiPAP, ASV, and 50 series devices in order to arrange a replacement device.

Respiratory clinicians may be contacted by Philips where device settings are required for a new set up. To assist Philips with their rectification, clinicians are reminded that there are alternative pathways to provide script information including; providing patients’ device settings directly to Philips, giving Philips permission to access patient device settings via Care Orchestrator (where available for connectable devices) or alternatively Philips may work directly with the patient to obtain settings directly from their machine, either via SD card download or at a SleepEasy Centre.

“We’d like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of respiratory clinicians during this challenging time” said Carly.

“Not only have they had to respond to the challenges of two Product Defect Corrections affecting thousands of people across NSW, they are doing so during a pandemic where resources are already stretched, particularly in the respiratory space”.

More information about this developing situation can be found on the EnableNSW website, where a dedicated Frequently Asked Question section is being updated regularly.

Amputees under 65 now accessing their long term supports through the NDIA

EnableNSW has successfully transitioned eligible amputees under the age of 65 to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Under Australian Government and State agreements, people under 65 who are amputees, should get their prosthetic limbs and ongoing repairs, socks and liners funded by the NDIS rather than EnableNSW.  This also includes major repairs, such as socket replacements, on interim prosthetic limbs.

It is important to know EnableNSW will continue to fund interim prosthetic limbs for all eligible amputees regardless of age as well as ongoing prosthetic supports for eligible amputees 65 years and over.

New Amputees under the age of 65 should make a NDIS access request by 3 months post amputation to ensure they have a NDIS plan in place before their interim limb requires ongoing repairs or replacement.

Requests for ongoing support through the EnableNSW Prosthetic Limbs Service will need to be supported with a decline letter from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Each request will be considered on a case by case basis against the usual eligibility guidelines.

New continence QRG now available

The EnableNSW website has been updated to include a new continence Quick Reference Guide (QRG), as a result of the updated NSW Health Contract 250: Continence and Sexual Health, released 15 September 2021. The QRG offers a broad range of items, some of which were previously unavailable. Please reference the latest version before submitting a continence request form.

“The new Continence QRG includes a broader range of items to cater for the vast majority of patients’ clinical needs” said Jemma Burns, Senior Clinical Advisor, EnableNSW.

For all requests for non-contract items, clinicians will need to provide additional justification on page three of the continence equipment request form, including a summary of the contract items that have been trialled and the outcome.

To ensure timely processing of all continence requests, clinicians can find all the correct continence forms, funding criteria, QRG and the application form on the EnableNSW website, and all locally saved copies should be deleted. An information sheet has also been developed and includes frequently asked questions for clinicians.

For more information about this change, please visit the EnableNSW website or send an email to enable@health.nsw.gov.au.

Working together to support clinicians during COVID-19

As the COVID-19 health situation continues to evolve and clinicians experience unprecedented challenges in their clinical areas, the EnableNSW team continues to respond by providing greater flexibility.

Aligning with HealthShare’s Strategic Plan for Partnering for Patients, EnableNSW has strived to adapt to the rapidly changing circumstances in this pandemic, to ensure the focus remains on people who rely on the services as well providing ‘seamless support for NSW Health staff’ and assisting with ‘support and care for patients’.

Some examples of this increased flexibility include telehealth appointments, remote health monitoring, allowing alternative assessments in place of sleep studies, self-measures for some compression garments, virtual home equipment trials and virtual home visits. Specific COVID-19 pathways have also been designed, such as for Adult CPAP and Adult Bilevel Funding Criteria.

“We understand that face-to-face assessments, outpatient appointments, home visits and equipment trials have been challenging or not even possible during this time” said Louise Mather- Mullard, Manager Clinical Services, EnableNSW.

“In order to support clinicians with equipment requests and to ensure they continue to align with the evidence-based practice and safeguards in the EnableNSW funding criteria, we have responded by broadening the methods of acceptable assessments and trial information” she continued.

Additionally, the team have continued to receive positive feedback about the temporary COVID-19 Adult CPAP and Adult Nocturnal Ventilation pathways currently in place until February 2022.

“Respiratory clinicians have appreciated the flexibility we have been able to offer during this time. We are aware that access to outpatient services and laboratory testing may be limited or delayed, particularly for short term to long term oxygen therapy reassessment” said Daniel Flunt, Senior Respiratory Advisor, EnableNSW.

“We won’t interrupt the funding of a person’s oxygen supply if they cannot access suitable assessment and we’re asking clinicians to let us know as soon as supplemental oxygen is not required by a person, so that we can optimise availability” he continued.

Clinicians are also being assured of vendor compliance at this time, with significant work currently underway to ensure equipment deliveries are being carried out in line with COVID safe plans.

“Our suppliers have advised us that they are taking the necessary actions to minimise the risk of transmission including use of appropriate personal protective equipment, sign in protocols, symptoms reporting, surveillance testing and vaccination” said Mark Rowlinson, Business Support and Vendor Manager, EnableNSW.

The EnableNSW team would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of clinicians as they continue to support the current COVID-19 situation in NSW. Whether this has been working on the front line or being redeployed as part of the COVID-19 response.

Helping make IPTAAS online claims even easier

The Isolated Patients Travel Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) website now includes an instructional step by step video to help people better understand the online claiming process. The eight minute instructional video covers everything from setting up an account, entering required information and how to view the progress of each application.

“Our online claiming system is intuitive, easy to use and can be accessed on any device including a mobile phone” said Jennifer Swain, IPTAAS Statewide Manager

Social workers and Medical Practitioners are encouraged to refer their treating patients to the IPTAAS website before they make an IPTAAS claim.

“The website contains all the necessary tools and resources patients need, including an eligibility checker that takes the guess work out of claiming” said Jennifer

To learn more about IPTAAS and how it can financially support people who need to travel more than 100 kilometres for treatment not available locally, please visit the IPTAAS website.

As border closures and associated travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19 continue to impact travel, people are encouraged to contact the IPTAAS team on 1800 478 227  to discuss their  individual circumstances or send an email to HSNSW-IPTAAS@health.nsw.gov.au.