Service Delivery Framework for Hearing Care Services in Australia
A service delivery framework is a structure of principles and standards that are supported by processes, procedures and qualifications in order to deliver desired outcomes.
The Service Delivery Framework for Hearing Care Services in Australia has been developed to guide the way hearing care services are delivered by Hearing Care Practitioners (audiologists and audiometrists) in Australia. Development of the Service Delivery Framework is being guided by the Hearing Care Expert Reference Group (HCERG) which represents a range of stakeholder interests and includes representatives from Audiology Australia, the Australian College of Audiology and the Hearing Aid Audiometrists Society of Australia. Australian Healthcare Associates was engaged by the Department of Health to provide services to support the work of this group, and to manage the public consultation process. Feedback received from initial consultation in mid-2015 on the Framework and the Quality Principles has also been considered.
The Framework aims to ensure that people who use hearing care services have greater transparency around what contributes to their clinical outcomes. It will align with the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards for NDIS clients to better position the hearing sector for transition to a more contestable environment in the future. The Framework aims to provide a range of benefits for hearing service providers and clients, in that it sets a clear and consistent outline for the delivery of hearing services in accordance with best practice, and focuses on client outcomes, confidence and trust, as well as encouraging continuous quality improvement. The Framework will provide a potential foundation to clarify and streamline obligations of service providers under the Hearing Services Program, which is consistent with the Government’s regulatory reform agenda.
The diagram below represents the key elements of the Framework.
Four documents are being developed as part of the Framework
- Quality Principles for Hearing Care
- National Practice Standards for Hearing Care Practitioners
- Scope of Practice for Audiologists and Audiometrists
- Code of Conduct for Audiologists and Audiometrists.
Public Consultation
We invite interested stakeholders to provide feedback on two key documents in the Service Delivery Framework: the Quality Principles for Hearing Care and the National Practice Standards for Hearing Care Practitioners. A Q&A document also explains the Framework and it’s components in more detail.
Submissions closed on 31 May 2016.