Month: November 2022

As the Department of Health & Aged Care continue to release further details and documents on AN-ACC we will continue to update these here for you.

They have released updated and/or new guides on:

1. Questions and Answers from Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) webinar #6 (.pdf)
2. Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) webinar slides – 30 August 2022 (.pdf)
3. Webinar: Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) update (video)

News about the reforms:

• Star Ratings webinar recording now available
• Second Food and Nutrition Report released
• Have your say: National Dementia Action Plan
• 2021-22 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997
• Webinar: Quarterly Financial Report
• Registered nurses’ payment grant round closing soon

Residential Care:

• Residential aged care payment statements – PDF function now available

Other news:

• Specialist Dementia Care Program: Grant Opportunity for two Queensland PHNs closing soon
• Digital Transformation Tech Talk
• Webinar: Intergenerational programs in aged care

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/29 (.pdf)

These guiding principles promote the safe, quality use of medicines and medication management in your aged care home.

They are based on evidence and advice from experts, providers and users of medicines in health and aged care services.

Read more:

Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities (.pdf)

The Australian Government has been made aware of plans by Southern Cross Care in Tasmania to restructure and make redundant sections of its skilled nursing workforce. We are also aware that other providers are considering similar restructures to the detriment of their workers, and potentially impacting the quality of care for older Australians.

The Government is very concerned about these actions at Southern Cross Care Tasmania in reclassifying workers, such as food preparation staff, to also directly care for residents.

We are also highly concerned that Southern Cross Care are making enrolled nurses redundant because of incorrect claims these roles are no longer funded by the Government.

Qualified and experienced enrolled nurses are a critical component of the aged care workforce as are those carers who provide direct care to some of the most vulnerable in Australia.

These are decisions of Southern Cross Tasmania – not the Government.

Read more:

Backing aged care nurses

In this edition:

• Webinar – aged care COVID-19 update
• Message from the Ministers to Aged Care Providers
• Video message from the Senior Australian of the Year
• Reminder: Reporting of aged care residents and aged care staff influenza vaccinations in 2022
• Top 3 Questions from our Webinar on 21 November

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 25 November 2022

Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP and Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP extend their thanks to aged care providers and outline key steps to protect older Australians and aged care staff this festive season.

Read the joint letter to aged care providers.

With COVID-19 cases increasing in the current wave, we all have a role to play to protect those most at risk of severe illness.

Please remain vigilant and maintain COVID-19 safe behaviours:

• do regular rapid antigen tests (RAT) to screen for infection
• wear a mask if indoors to help slow infection
• wash your hands frequently
• stay up to date with vaccinations
• stay home if unwell or COVID-19 positive.
• Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication.

Read more:

Protecting our older Australians and aged care staff this festive season

23 NOV 2022: Hon Mark Butler MP and Hon Anika Wells MP Letter (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Update on sector reforms commencing 1 December
• New Star Ratings for residential aged care
• Governing for Reform in Aged Care program – podcast series available
• Quality and safety in home services – risk in focus: management of package funds
• Quality improvement initiative improves antibiotic use
• New financial and prudential regulatory insights series
• Improving food and nutrition in residential aged care
• Five new Alis modules now available
• Applications open for Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment
• New and updated Commission resources

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #47 – November 2022

As providers are aware, the new Code of Conduct which applies to approved providers, their governing persons and aged care workers (including subcontracted workers), commences on 1 December this year.

While elements of the Code reflect the Aged Care Quality Standards, in Russell Kennedy’s opinion, providers should not underestimate the impact of the Code. The Code gives the Commission new powers, including to take action against individual aged care workers, managers and board members. We also, anticipate it will be used by unhappy consumers and their families as an additional tool in their complaints, whether about the provider or a particular staff member.

Read more:

Code of Conduct for Aged Care – are you and your workers ready?

News about the reforms:

• The new Code of Conduct for Aged Care starts 1 December
• Star Ratings provider manual now available
• Preparing for the Serious Incident Response Scheme: My Aged Care Service and Support portal
• Aged Care reform webinar series available for viewing
• Strengthening provider governance – new notification form for approved providers

Other news:

• Webinar: Translating and interpreting services for aged care providers

For residential care providers:

• Services Australia webinar: Residential aged care funding reform

For home care providers:

• Webinar: Upcoming Home Care Packages pricing changes
• Home Care Packages pricing update for January 2023

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/28 (.pdf)

The Albanese Labor Government has taken significant steps to ensure Australians will no longer be charged excessive administrative and management costs as part of their Home Care Packages.

From 1 January 2023, care management and package management charges will be capped at 20 per cent and 15 per cent of the respective package levels.

This means more package funds will be available to meet the care needs of older Australians.

The Albanese Government is also banning exit fees, improving provider choice for care recipients, while stopping providers from charging separate brokerage and subcontracting fees in the program.

More than 37,000 older Australians will no longer be charged for changing service providers or exiting the program.

Read more:

Reducing admin and manager costs for aged care at home