Spinal Cord Injuries Australia(SCIA) is committed to keeping our clients, members and staff safe. We have continued to implement COVIDSafe practices which includes additional cleaning, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and health screening throughout the pandemic.

As SCIA delivers a number of essential services and we adhere to all government advice and follow stringent COVIDSafe protocols to manage risk we will not be mandating that clients need to be vaccinated to access our services. In our setting, and as government haven’t implemented a health order for the clients we support, we are unable to ask for COVID vaccine related health information for clients.

We have however implemented mandatory vaccinations for SCIA Staff in line with government policy, legislation and related health orders and will be continuing health screening, QR check-ins, site cleaning and provision of PPE across our sites with additional protocols for our face to face services such as NeuroMoves.

These practices will remain in place while we monitor the COVID situation nationally and adjustments will be made as and when we feel it is safe to do so. We will keep our clients updated and informed of any changes to the services and sites they use.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients and members for their continued support over this challenging time- we really appreciate it.

If you have visited locations with recent COVID-19 cases, then please refrain from visiting any of our SCIA sites, and refer to the NSW Government page for further information and advice.

NeuroMoves
Refer to latest changes for your NeuroMoves site:

Sydney (Clyde, Menai, Liverpool, Penrith, St Peters) – All of our clinics are open and offering all of our programs. Staff will continue to wear face masks when treating clients. Clients are encouraged to wear face masks at all times, but it is not compulsory when exercising only. Gym or group training classes are operating on restricted numbers (maximum of 4 at a time).

Lismore, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide – Our clinic remains open and offering all of our programs. Staff will continue to wear face masks when treating clients. Clients are encouraged to wear face masks at all times, but it is not compulsory when exercising only.

Perth – Our clinic remains open and offering all of our programs. Face masks are not mandatory for you and your carers when attending your session.

We will continue to provide all sites with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which can be worn at your request for each session. We will also continue to maintain our high standard of cleaning before and after every client session.

More information will be provided by the NeuroMoves site team leaders, as changes are being made to schedules.

Community Services
Our NDIS Support Coordinators and Plan Managers based in Sydney, Illawarra and Northern Rivers, New South Wales, as well as Perth are still operating and will be contactable over the phone and via email.

Read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we have received by our client, about our NDIS services during these challenging times.

We will work with clients to connect with essential supports, service providers and health professionals to develop a plan to ensure personal health and safety over the coming months in order to maintain continuity.

Policy and Advocacy
Our Policy and Advocacy team based in Sydney and Northern Rivers, New South Wales, are still operating and contactable over the phone and via email.

We are still here for those who need support and guidance for individual, systemic and self advocacy matters such as long and short term advocacy strategy, lobbying government bodies and providing you with the right advice and information.

Peer and Family Support
Our Peer and Family Support Team are offering their non-clinical advice and practical help for people with a spinal cord injury at the spinal units, as well as via our free Telehealth service.

Employment Service
Our Employment Serviceis available via phone or email. During this challenging time we want to continually support your journey toward work.

We will guide you through a flexible, interactive and practical program covering topics like effective job seeking, correct resume creation, how to self-market, interview training and supportive transitioning to work.

Occasional and Emergency Service
Our Occasional and Emergency Service are our front line staff and we considered them to be an essential service during this time.

We have implemented additional precautions including checking the temperature of our staff at the start of each shift to monitor their health, provide our O&EC staff with additional PPE kits which include face masks, gloves and scrubs and we have increased the frequency of our general hygiene measures to ensure that we continue to operate in a safe way.

Information and Updates

Please click any of the links below to find out information relevant to you. If you need further support please contact us on 1800 819 775 or email info@scia.org.au.

Vaccine information for people with a disability

COVID-19 – Latest cases and locations

COVID-19 clinics map – NSW Health

Australian Government’s Department of Health website

National Disability Insurance Scheme Disaster Response

COVID-19 Resources for people with a Disabilty

NDIS Commission coronavirus (COVID-19) information

Information for disability support providers – New South Wales Health

Hygiene and Minimising Risk

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia would like to assure our clients and members that their safety and well being is of highest priority.

All SCIA staff will continue to practice high hygiene and risk minimising measures, and we encourage our clients to do the same.

This includes:

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds or using a 60% minimum alcohol-based hand sanitiser

Maintain 1.5 metres distance between yourself and others around you

Using a tissue to cover your mouth and nose area or cover with your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the tissue immediately

People with coronavirus may experience:

fever

flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue

shortness of breath

We advise you to contact your local GP should you experience any/or all of the above symptoms, or refer to the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. for further information. This line is monitored 24 hours a day.

We would like to share with you the latest updates regarding your health, safety and wellbeing during this time.

SCIA appreciates your understanding and believes these measures will help in minimising the impact of associated health risks of coronavirus.

We will continue to monitor the status of coronavirus as the situation evolves and keep our clients updated on any changes to SCIA services, which may affect you directly.

For further information relating to your SCIA service, please contact our Customer Connect Team on 1800 819 775 or email info@scia.org.au.