Month: July 2019

The Royal Commission is on for the next 2 weeks in:

• Darwin from Monday 8 July 2019 to Friday 12 July 2019, and in

• Cairns from Monday 15 July 2019 to Wednesday 17 July 2019.

At these public hearings the Royal Commission will inquire into:

• aspects of care in residential, home and flexible aged care programs, including:

– accessibility and availability

– wound, medication and pain management

– nutrition and hydration

– continence care

– mobility

– social supports

• rural and regional issues for service delivery of aged care

• quality of life for people receiving aged care

Read more:

Darwin and Cairns Hearing

View live webcasts of hearings, or video recordings of previous hearings

In this issue:

• 2019 ACFA Annual Report now available
• New approved provider application forms are now available
• New Charter of Aged Care Rights resources
• Resources to promote aged care advocacy services

Home Care:

• New home care pricing requirements now in place

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP):

• Managing your CHSP service information in My Aged Care
• Outcomes of the 2018 CHSP Wellness and Reablement Report

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue 2019/08 (.pdf)

Today the Morrison Government has delivered a major reform package for quality and safety in aged care.

Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said these comprehensive reforms are designed to protect and improve the lives of senior Australians in care.

The Government demonstrates our commitment to continue to improve the aged care system while the Royal Commission proceeds.

“Senior Australians must have choice and flexibility in the care they receive and it should be really easy to understand what they can expect from their aged care service. This is why our Government has delivered these new Aged Care Quality Standards,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Today is the first upgrade to residential aged care standards in 20 years. The new Standards will improve transparency for senior Australians and their families, as well as making regulation clearer for providers.

“The Standards are centred on the needs of senior Australians and provide a solid foundation for providers’ continuous improvement.”

Read more:

Delivering safety and quality in Australia’s aged care system

Today marks the commencement of the new national Aged Care Quality Standards which apply to all aged care settings including residential and in-home aged care services.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson PSM said the new standards raise the bar by strengthening the focus on consumer-centred care which respects the dignity and identity of the individual and seeks to improve their experiences and outcomes of care.

“The new standards require aged care providers to work with each of their consumers to ensure that they receive safe, quality care that is shaped by the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences,” she said.

“The new standards are an important step in aged care reform which will help providers to clarify their responsibilities and help consumers to know what they can expect from aged care services.

“The new standards were developed following extensive consultation with consumers, service providers, experts and the wider community.”

Ms Anderson said she was impressed by the commitment shown by aged care providers in their preparation for the introduction of the new standards, and that support from the Commission will continue after 1 July.

Read more:

Commission media release: New Aged Care Standards Aiming to Lift Performance Across the Sector

The 2018-19 Budget More Choices for a Longer Life package gave in-principle support to move from allocating residential aged care places through the Aged Care Approvals Round to an alternative model that supports greater consumer choice.

A discussion paper outlining two proposed alternative models for allocating residential aged care places is now available for feedback. Suggestions for other allocation models that encourage consumer choice and promote a more consumer driven market in residential aged care are also welcome.

Read more:

Have your say on proposed alternative models for allocating residential aged care places

Consultation Hub: Residential aged care: Proposed alternative models for allocating places

Eventbrite: Consultation forums – Residential care: Alternative place allocation models

Welcome to this special edition of the Newsletter with information about the changes that take effect from, 01 July 2019, including:

• My Aged Care website
• New Charter of Aged Care Rights
• New Aged Care Quality Standards
• National Mandatory Aged Care Quality Indicator Program
• Improvements to home care pricing information
• Reductions to the maximum basic daily fee
• Regulation of physical and chemical restraint in aged care

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Special Edition 01 July 2019 (.pdf)