Month: March 2020

On 28 February 2020, the Government announced Phase 1 of the improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages (payment in arrears) would start on 1 June 2020.

On 27 March 2020, the Government announced the implementation of improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages would be placed on hold. This is due to the current situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the key role of the aged care sector to help combat this virus and support older Australians.

Consultations with the home care sector will help determine when implementation will recommence.

In the meantime, the current advance and claim payment cycle with Services Australia will continue.

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Update: Implementation of improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages placed on hold

Aged care activities pause due to COVID-19

Improved Payment Arrangements for Home Care

In this issue:

• Expansion of coronavirus testing criteria
• Flu vaccination requirements for Aged Care facilities
• Individuals wanting to cease Home Care Package Services

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27 March 2020 – Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update

With considerable resources from the Aged Care sector and Government now required in the campaign to keep Senior Australians safe during the COVID-19 outbreak – several long term measures will be put on hold for at least six months.

The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) assessment trial, the 2020 Aged Care Approval Round and the implementation of the home care payment alignment project will all be postponed as the Morrison Government deals with an unprecedented health emergency.

But Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, said the support for our loved ones would remain a priority.

Additional funding of $444.6 million is expected to strengthen the industry, with specific mechanisms to reinforce the aged care workforce and training.

An online infection prevention and control training module is among measures and has been completed by over 25,000 staff so far.

“Making sure aged care providers can continue to provide safe, quality care for residents is our combined goal,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases with age so we want to make sure Senior Australians are not at increased risk by exposure to non-essential visitors, including assessors.”

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Aged care activities pause due to COVID-19

The Chair of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Hon G T Pagone QC, calls upon all in the Australian community, including the Australian Government and aged care providers, to be vigilant about the many and varied impacts of, and responses to, COVID19. The pandemic affects the entire country but affects each of us differently. The aged in our community are amongst the most vulnerable and are affected both by the potential to be infected with the virus as well as by the unintended consequences of the otherwise understandable and reasonable steps which have been taken to ensure for their safety.

We have heard, and continue to hear, of many unfortunately unintended consequences flowing from the measures which have been taken to comply with the reasonable restrictions which have been imposed upon us by Government to protect the health and wellbeing of those intended to be protected. Many older people have been restricted in the number and length of family and other visitors who have been allowed to visit them.

We understand the importance of these measures and support them having been undertaken. They are designed to help all, including those for whom the impact may be harsh. We must all bear in mind, however, the vulnerability of this part of the community to be protected and that a consequence of the measures taken to protect them may be causing them harm. There is, therefore, a need that the measures put in place to protect frail older people also deal with the negative aspects of the measures designed to protect them.

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Royal Commission statement on COVID-19

In this issue:

• FAQ on Personal Protective Equipment
• Compliance with Commonwealth and State legislation

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26 March 2020 – Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update

To find out if you meet the Australian Government guidelines for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, answer a series of questions.

These include information about:

• your age and gender
• any emergency symptoms you may be experiencing
• your state or territory
• whether you’re a healthcare worker
• any recent foreign travel
• whether you’ve been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

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healthdirect Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker

In this issue:

• New e-learning module now live
• Senator Colbeck’s Thank You to Aged Care workers
• Further arrangements for CHSP providers

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25 March 2020 – Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update

Latest links to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information from the Department of Health.

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Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice to National Cabinet about social distancing

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) coronavirus (COVID-19) statement on 21 March 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for workers in residential aged care facilities (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for families and residents on restricted visits to residential aged care facilities (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for older Australians (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for public gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups

Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – frequently asked questions (.pdf)

Information for health care and residential care workers Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for residents of residential care services, family members and visitors (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what you need to know (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation guidance (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information on social distancing (.pdf)

Resources for health professionals, including pathology providers and healthcare managers

The Government has produced a suite of educational videos as part of its COVID-19 resources. Click on the links below to view.

Watch:

Coronavirus video – Older Australians

Coronavirus video – Social distancing

Coronavirus video – Help Stop The Spread

Coronavirus video – Recent Traveller

Coronavirus video – Good Hygiene Starts Here

Coronavirus video – Stay Informed

The Australian Government will provide funding for registered nurses to undertake online education to enable them to re-enter the clinical workforce and assist with the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite swift action by Australian governments, the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to grow.

It is likely that unprecedented demand for health care will put pressure on our health system and health professionals, especially doctors and nurses whose work is vital to protecting and saving lives.

The Government will provide up to $1 million to the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) to provide an online refresher course with up to date information about acute nursing care, including latest evidence based guidelines on COVID-19 infection control.

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Training to help nurses re-enter the health workforce