A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
I am pleased to present the July 2020 edition of the First Voice quarterly newsletter ‘Our Voices’.
Our theme in this edition is Clinical Services, highlighting First Voice member centres’ multiple clinical innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include additional social and emotional support for families and staff; huge increases in teletherapy and tele-audiology; online training in tele-practice for health professionals; strengthened teamwork; face-to-face group programs going online and individualisation of therapy in response to families’ different circumstances and resources at home.
In addition we have a contribution from Cochlear Ltd; an article on First Voice’s proposal (CHIP) to fix referral pathway problems for deaf children; and a report from our South African member, Corel du Toit, on the provision of food parcels and food and data vouchers to help families in desperate need through this crisis – together with our Centre highlights.
Thank you for your continued support of First Voice and its member organisations.
Mark Fitzpatrick
Chair First Voice | CEO Telethon Speech and Hearing
