An Important Update on COVID-19 Coronavirus

In light of the recent health advice regarding the Coronavirus, COVID-19, and the potential impacts it may bring, we at Aurora Speech Pathology Services wish to advise the measures we’ll be taking to support your family as best we can, based on the latest information to hand.

Our highest priority is ensuring you, your child and our team have a safe and healthy environment.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms range from a mild cough through to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick, very quickly. We need to take precautionary measures because there is evidence that the virus spreads from person-to-person and is most likely spread through:

Close contact with an infectious person
Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
Touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face. COVID-19 is thought to persist on surfaces from between a few hours to a few days.

By following the health advice, and staying at home if you are unwell, you will protect yourself and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses. Follow these measures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to minimise your risk. This information is also available in a number of alternate language translations.

How Can I Help?

Let us know

It is important that you let us know if:

You or any immediate family members have come into contact with any confirmed cases of COVID-19
Your child or any family members are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Fever
Coughing
Sore throat
Fatigue (tiredness)
Shortness of breath
You or any immediate family members have travelled overseas within the past two weeks
You or any immediate family members have come into contact with anyone travelling overseas in the past two weeks.

Take additional precautions

As the virus can live on surfaces for up to several days, we are taking additional precautions in wiping down all surfaces and toys after each consultation. It would also help us if you could:

Bring your own toys, games and stationery from home for your child to use during sessions.
Prioritise the protection of yourself and your family. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Brett Sutton, has put together a clip with great tips for protecting yourself and your family.
Encourage regular handwashing with your child. Here you can find a visual social story that teaches hand washing.
Psychology Today have also put together some tips for how to discuss the virus with your child.
Ensure your child understands the vocabulary being used in the media, such as ‘high-risk conditions’, ‘underlying conditions’ and ‘immuno-compromised’, so as to maintain an educated perspective around the risk of contracting the virus themselves.
Mindheart have created a blog that explains the virus in child friendly language, and they have also made it available in different languages. You can find the english version here or, or browse their site here for all available language options.

What Does This Mean For Our Speech Pathology Sessions?

If you attend in-clinic sessions

For in-clinic sessions, we will align to the rules of the medical centre of which we are a part. Please use our common waiting room sparingly, that is, try and avoid sitting for longer than periods of 5 to 10 minutes. If you do not sit in on your child’s sessions, please consider using this time to go for a walk, or tend to some shopping nearby.
When you enter the clinic, we kindly request you use the hand sanitiser provided at our front desk, before entering the clinic room.

If you attend mobile / home visit / community sessions

Until further notice, these sessions will continue as normal.
We may be able to offer additional home visits, provided no family members are experiencing any of the above symptoms. Per our usual fee scheduling, there will be a travel fee incurred.

What If We Need To Cancel?

Due to these uncertain circumstances, if you notify us a cancellation is required due to the presentation of any COVID-19 like symptoms, or confirmed contact with someone who has, you will not be charged a cancellation fee. No show appointments or failure to attend without earlier notification will continue to incur a cancellation fee.

What If The Situation Escalates Further?

Depending on how the situation evolves, we may need to increase the measures taken to minimise transmission of the virus. These may include:

The closure of our waiting room at the Surrey Hills clinic (which will be consistent with the over-arching approach of the medical practice in which we are based).
Conducting pre-screening with you via phone before appointments, to check-in regarding symptoms.
Finding alternative means to service you and your child, for example, via home visitation.

Our Commitment To You

Communication is key

We believe in uncertain times, communication is key. We will do our utmost to keep you updated with any information regarding the operation of our clinic, or any additional information we feel will be of direct benefit.

Continuing our services

As matters progress, or families are concerned about their health and wellbeing, therapy doesn’t need to stop. There is an option for ‘Telehealth’, which means using technology like 'Skype' as a means to conduct some therapies. Additionally, we can also look at other ways and means to continue therapy, such has home visitation.

Either of these options can be discussed directly with Kristina, as to the suitability of your child’s needs.

Thank You For Understanding

Aurora Speech Pathology Services would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation through these uncertain times. We wish to work together to minimise risk to your family and continue our daily routines as best we can.

Contact Us

If there are any topics you’d like clarification on, please let us know. Call Kristina on 0422 667 596 or email kristina@auroraspeech.com.

Aurora Speech Pathology Services Suite 4, 609 Canterbury Road Surrey Hills, VIC 3127 Australia