Mrs. Tania Rowe1, Mr. André Stannard2, Miss Michelle Chacksfield1, Mrs. Julie Thompson1
1Tasmanian Health Service – Statewide Audiology Service, Hobart, Australia, 2Department for Education, Children and Young People, Hobart, Australia
Biography:
Tania has worked as a Family Support Worker in the Statewide Audiology Service, based at the Royal Hobart Hospital, since 2021. Tania supports access & engagement of patients and families to newborn hearing screening, diagnostic audiology & cochlear implant audiology services in the Tasmanian Health Service.
Abstract
This poster provides a snapshot into the journey for families in the Tasmanian Newborn Hearing Screening & Audiology Infant Diagnostic program; describing challenges to engagement, & supports provided by the Family Support Team.
As part of continuous quality improvement we recently undertook this audit, to inform future family led practice, as we develop and adapt the focus of our Family Support Service and other Audiology family centred clinic models to the needs of our population, which includes relatively high levels of disadvantage and a dispersed population.
This poster takes a retrospective look at a random sample of cases and the level of supports provided, out of a total of 320 families referred to Tasmanian Health Service Audiology Family Support between 2021-2024.
A range of issues are addressed by the Family Support service and incidental feedback suggests that with supports (both practical & emotional), barriers to engagement are often overcome, with families coping better on their hearing journey.
This poster aims to inform professionals of the family’s journey and some challenges faced by families in Tasmania, to benefit future families undergoing newborn hearing screening & diagnosis, both locally and outside of Tasmania.