In a collaboration aimed at empowering individuals facing the challenges of aphasia, the Monash Health Aphasia Group recently joined forces with Ambulance Victoria to conduct an education session on emergency communication planning.
Aphasia, a language difficulty often resulting from brain injury such as stroke, affects over 120,000 Australians; impacting their ability to speak, understand language, read, or write while leaving their cognitive functions intact.
Recognising the unique vulnerability of this community in emergencies, the group’s focus this term centred on developing emergency communication plans.
The Monash Health Aphasia Group hosted a session facilitated by Speech Pathologist Roz Shand, who has led the group program for several years.
Roz, currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in partnership with the Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation at La Trobe University, brought her expertise in aphasia management.
The session featured Amber Smith, Ambulance Victoria’s Disability Inclusion Program Lead, and Stuart Hine, Ambulance Victoria’s Community and Education Liaison. Together, they delved into the intricacies of calling for an ambulance, recognising the unique challenges faced by those with significant communication impairments.
Participants learned essential information about using the keypad to communicate their needs when calling 000, including pre-recording crucial details such as name, address, and phone number. A key revelation was the option to press “55” on the keypad if unable to verbally communicate the emergency service required.
Additionally, the group discovered the value of the Emergencyplus App, which aids in identifying exact locations through GPS on smartphones.
Amber and Stuart from Ambulance Victoria expressed their gratitude for the invaluable insights gained from the session, emphasising its role in enhancing their understanding of the challenges users face when dialling 000.
They found the experience instrumental in identifying areas for improvement in the emergency response process, aligning with ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility to emergency services for all.
The collaborative effort between the Monash Health Aphasia Group and Ambulance Victoria demonstrates a shared commitment to community and consumer engagement, breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity. It also demonstrates the positive impact collaboration and education can have on the lives of people living with communication impairments.
Approved by Stuart Cavill, Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer Kingston, Aged and Rehabilitation and Allied Health Adult Inpatient Care