Transitioning to a team model of Family Support in the Statewide Audiology Service (Tasmanian Health Service)

Tania Rowe¹, Andre  Arias Stannard¹, Miss Michelle Chacksfield¹, Lydia Black¹

¹Tasmanian Health Service – Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia

The purpose of this Poster presentation is to discuss our learnings, 12 months on from our transition to a team model of Family Support in the THS Statewide Audiology Service, based at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

In 2021 the THS Statewide Audiology Service Family Support Facilitator position grew from one Family Support Facilitator position into a multifaceted team of three practitioners.  The Family Support team has a background in Psychology, Integrated Family Support (IFSS) and Contemporary Disability Practice.

The Family Support team works to  support patients of the Tasmanian Infant Hearing Screening Program, Diagnostic Audiology clinic, Tasmanian Cochlear Implant Program and Paediatric Hearing Loss multidisciplinary clinic, by providing a wide range of services which include:

• Emotional support/counselling to parents and close family members of newborns with a hearing loss.
• Provide the family with capacity building to understand the degree, nature and implications of hearing loss.
• Provide the family with the information around the purpose of investigations, appointments and the roles of health professionals.
• Support families to engage with allied health therapists, Early Childhood Early Intervention Services and applying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
• Encourage patients and families to prioritise Audiology engagement due to progressive hearing loss conditions.
• Support previously disengaged patients to re-engage with service.

Biography:

Family Support – Statewide Audiology Service, Royal Hobart Hospital

Family Support Facilitator Lydia Black is an experienced AHPRA registered Clinical Psychologist with a special interest in supporting new families, perinatal and infant mental health.  Lydia holds a Master of Psychology (Clinical).

Family Support Worker Tania Rowe holds a Diploma of Community Services Work and worked as an Integrated Family Support Services Worker at Save the Children.

Family Support Worker Andre Arias Stannard holds a Diploma in Applied Health and Community Support and works as a Local Area Coordinator at Baptcare in partnership with the National Disability Insurance Agency.