Month: December 2021

The Australian Government is providing access to rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to Commonwealth-subsidised residential aged care facilities, Multi-purpose services and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program services in areas of high prevalence of COVID-19.

Distribution of the RAT kits to NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC and SA is expected to commence in early 2022. Details on distribution arrangements and testing protocols will be provided shortly.

RAT kits will be distributed to TAS and NT in the event of widespread COVID-19 transmission. In the meanwhile, any outbreak sites in these jurisdictions will receive RATs as part of the Commonwealth’s response.

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Access to Rapid Antigen Testing kits for all residential aged care facilities

Dear approved provider of residential services,

Operating in a COVID-normal environment over the holiday period Holidays provide important additional opportunities for older people, including aged care residents, to enjoy spending time with friends and family and taking part in activities in the community. The pandemic does not alter this fact.

It is up to providers to manage and mitigate COVID-19 risks to aged care residents, including the risks that isolation poses to their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. Face-to-face get togethers between residents, family members and friends should be facilitated where they can be undertaken safely and are permitted under public health orders.

In determining arrangements for visitors entering the service, and for residents travelling from and returning to the service, providers should start with a risk assessment. This will inform decisions about measures to be implemented that will maximise the opportunity for residents to take part in social activities as safely as possible.

Read more:

Letter – Commissioner to residential approved providers – Being prepared for a COVID-19 outbreak – 22 December 2021 (.pdf)

News about the reforms:

• Additional $632.6 million investment to improve aged care

Other news:

• Thank you and looking forward to 2022
• Operational hours over the holiday period
• Centre for Growth and Translational Research
• Updates to the My Aged Care website
• Supporting veterans in aged care
• Services Australia Aged Care Quarterly Review 15 January 2022

For residential care providers:

• Apply now: Business Improvement Fund Round 2

For home care providers:

• Improved payment arrangements: Home care claim tips

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector Newsletter – Issue #2021/24 (.pdf)

We continue to live with COVID-19, state borders are opening and more people are travelling to visit their loved ones. Facilitating safe visitation and open communication with residents and their families and representatives is crucial.

• Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF)
• Communicating with family during an outbreak

Read more:

Being prepared – visitors and communication with families during an outbreak

National COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Emergency Communication Guide (.pdf)

Aged care facilities – establishing communications (.pdf)

From 1 January 2022, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 testing in Victoria under the aged care program operated by Sonic Healthcare and its subsidiary pathology providers (e.g. Melbourne Pathology) will continue to operate with clinical oversight from either a medical practitioner, the Public Health Unit (PHU) or the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) for residential aged care facilities that have a COVID-19 outbreak, a Case Exposure or are located within a designated area of high COVID-19 risk as declared.

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Changes to routine asymptomatic PCR testing of Victorian aged care workers

Dear Board Chair and CEO of approved providers of aged care,

Invitation to register your interest

Effective leadership and governance are essential for ensuring the safety and quality of care provided to older Australians, and for delivering quality aged care experiences. These leadership qualities are equally vital as enablers of change and for driving improvements in the practice and outcomes of care.

I am pleased to offer you an opportunity to participate in a specialised development program, ‘Governing for Reform in Aged Care’, aimed at supporting members of governing bodies and senior leaders of all aged care providers to advance the current reforms in aged care. This offer is available to you irrespective of the corporate status, size or location of your service(s).

Read more:

Letter – Commissioner to providers – Governing for Reform Program – 20 December 2021 (.pdf)

The Morrison Government today launches an education program to help aged care providers strengthen organisational governance and leadership.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said strong leadership within the sector is critical for driving the cultural change required for high-quality levels of care.

The “Governing for Reform in Aged Care” education program is an important component of the Government’s once-in-a-generation aged care reform plan aimed at supporting providers to fulfil responsibilities to consumers.

“The Government recognises the importance of strong leadership and governance to drive the cultural change required to support the reforms in aged care,” Minister Colbeck said.

“This education program is an investment in our future aged care system and will enhance leadership and governance skills across the sector.

“All aged care providers need to review their current practices to ensure they are ready to embrace the future”.

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Strengthening leaders and governance across aged care

Single site workforce arrangements are one of the many infection control measures which have worked to help limit transmission of COVID-19.

On the advice of the A/g Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett, in consultation with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the Victorian Chief Health Officer, it is now appropriate for residential aged care providers in Victoria to commence transitioning out of single site arrangements.

This transition should occur over the next two weeks, with the end of single site employment on 3 December 2021, after which time workers can return to usual working arrangements.

Providers are reminder to stay informed with local public health measures, including those set out in the Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions (No 57) in Victoria.

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Single site workforce arrangements are ending in Victoria on 3 December 2021