Ms Cindy Marples1
1Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, Australia
Biography:
Cindy Marples has over 20 years of experience in Audiology and management with a particular focus on paediatric care and multidisciplinary teams. She has worked across both public and private sectors as well as non-profit organisation internationally. She is a passionate about placing the family at the centre of care and partnering with patients on their hearing journey to achieving their hopes and aspirations. As a manager, the concepts of leadership and culture as well as relationship drives a team approach to care.
Abstract:
Following concerns about suboptimal cochlear implant MAP settings affecting a small number of children, the South Australian Department of Health commissioned two independent reviews of the Paediatric Cochlear Implant Program at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN). The reviews aimed to evaluate service delivery, identify improvement measures, and reinforce adherence to clinical best practices. It was found that these issues were historical, linked to inadequate support systems.
In response, WCHN has implemented all recommendations and actively engaged with families to address their concerns. Acknowledging the significant impact of these events on consumers and staff, WCHN is committed to restoring public confidence through a safe, evidence-based program that collaborates with families and deaf community organizations.
This presentation will highlight WCHN's strategies for ensuring access to high-quality audiological and multidisciplinary care, focusing on leadership, model of care, external collaborations, workforce development, clinical practices, and improvements in communication and governance.
Key Learnings: Write the key points audiences will learn from listening to your presentation here
– Reviews are not intended to lay blame but to guide sustainable change.
– Ensuring the voices and experiences of consumers and the deaf community are heard.
– Supporting staff in the event of critical incidents.
– Provide insights regarding recommendations that may be applicable to all cochlear implant programs providers