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DEC 20 2023
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CAT1 report review changes - 1 Jan 2024

Posted by: Paula Shennan

Whaikaha alongside TalkLink have made a process change for CAT1 accredited assessors regarding the application review process for tablet-based devices. This is a change to the 2014 MoH Communication Assistive Technology Framework that states ‘the proposed Service Request has been discussed with the Ministry’s Specialist Assessment Service (communication Assistive Technology) before being submitted to the EMS Provider and this consultation has been recorded on the EMS Assessor Section of the EMS Prioritisation Tool (no longer used and now a portal document)’.

Effective 1st January 2024, CAT1 assessors are no longer required to send their tablet-based applications to TalkLink for sign off.  Following best practice guidance, your report and quote continue to need to be peer reviewed by another suitably qualified CAT assessor.  If you are receiving paid supervision from TalkLink, your reports can continue to be reviewed by them.

Following approval, tablet based devices will continue to be sent to TalkLink as per current guidelines for setup and management. 

We recommend that you use this report template for your report. For other guidelines and support with what to include in your report, see the guide here.

Process

Complete trials using ATANZ equipment or own equipment (if using ATANZ equipment, complete support form www.talklink.org.nz/support to request trial equipment).

Following your trial

Complete the report for funding, ensuring that this is peer reviewed as per CAT1 accreditation guidelines. Tablet based devices continue to be sent to TalkLink for set up and management once funding is approved.

If the trial is completed using ATANZ equipment

If you have already completed a support request to borrow trial equipment, please send an email to referrals@talklink.org.nz and include:

  • Supplier quotes
  • Copy of online order
  • Where to deliver the equipment once set up

If the trial is completed without using ATANZ equipment:

CAT1 therapist to complete the word version of support referral form www.talklink.org.nz/support and email this (as only one PDF is able to be uploaded to our website at the current time) to referrals@talklink.org.nz and include:

  • Supplier quotes
  • Copy of online order 



Whaikaha alongside TalkLink have made a process change for CAT1 accredited assessors regarding the application review process for tablet-based devices. This is a change to the 2014 MoH Communication Assistive Technology Framework that states ‘the proposed Service Request has been discussed with the Ministry’s Specialist Assessment Service (communication Assistive Technology) before being submitted to the EMS Provider and this consultation has been recorded on the EMS Assessor Section of the EMS Prioritisation Tool (no longer used and now a portal document)’.

Effective 1st January 2024, CAT1 assessors are no longer required to send their tablet-based applications to TalkLink for sign off.  Following best practice guidance, your report and quote continue to need to be peer reviewed by another suitably qualified CAT assessor.  If you are receiving paid supervision from TalkLink, your reports can continue to be reviewed by them.

Following approval, tablet based devices will continue to be sent to TalkLink as per current guidelines for setup and management. 

We recommend that you use this report template for your report. For other guidelines and support with what to include in your report, see the guide here.

Process

Complete trials using ATANZ equipment or own equipment (if using ATANZ equipment, complete support form www.talklink.org.nz/support to request trial equipment).

Following your trial

Complete the report for funding, ensuring that this is peer reviewed as per CAT1 accreditation guidelines. Tablet based devices continue to be sent to TalkLink for set up and management once funding is approved.

If the trial is completed using ATANZ equipment

If you have already completed a support request to borrow trial equipment, please send an email to referrals@talklink.org.nz and include:

  • Supplier quotes
  • Copy of online order
  • Where to deliver the equipment once set up

If the trial is completed without using ATANZ equipment:

CAT1 therapist to complete the word version of support referral form www.talklink.org.nz/support and email this (as only one PDF is able to be uploaded to our website at the current time) to referrals@talklink.org.nz and include:

  • Supplier quotes
  • Copy of online order