Month: September 2023

The Aged Care Royal Commission (ACRC) found significant failures in approved providers’ governance systems, including a lack of oversight from the governing body and as a result a suite of new requirements have been rolled out targeting these issues. The legislative reforms are aimed at improving transparency and accountability as well as ensuring that approved providers focus on the best interests of their care recipients.

A major part of the reforms is the Governing Body Statement of Compliance and increased reporting of provider operations. These reforms directly relate to the ACRC’s recommendations to ensure annual reporting that will increase scrutiny. One of these new obligations is the requirement to provide a Statement of Compliance on behalf of the governing body. This statement is due no later than four months after the reporting period (i.e. 31 October 2023).

Read more:

Prepare for Aged Care Governance Reform: “Statement of Compliance” ahead

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• The referendum and access to residential services
• Our reports
• Aged care reforms update
• Food, nutrition and dining
• Webinars
• Governing for reform
• Training and resources

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #57 – September 2023

News about the reforms

• Webinar: Quarterly Financial Reporting – what’s changed
• Changes to governing body membership requirements

Sector news

• New apps for clinicians and carers supporting people with dementia
• National Dementia Data Improvement Plan and Updated Dementia in Australia report now available
• In-home care
• Make your website, social media, emails and documents accessible to all

Residential care

• Reminder: Quality Indicator reporting opens soon
• COVID-19: Aged Care Support Program Extension grant
• It’s time to get prepared for high-risk weather
• Webinar: Update – Aged Care COVID-19 outbreak management supports
• Reminder: Supporting older people to vote

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update: Issue 37, 26 September 2023

News about the reforms

• Aged care wage increase: Information for local government and councils

Sector news

• Act now for a Dementia-Friendly Future this Dementia Action Week
• What we’ve learnt: Volunteers in Aged Care Survey results
• COVID-19: Aged Care Support Program update
• Webinar: Vision Australia – Introduction to accessible communications and marketing

Residential care

• Care minutes targets now available at service level
• Stocktake on the design of residential aged care accommodation
• Feedback required: Draft design guidelines and principles for residential accommodation
• COVID-19: Have your say on the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control lead role
• COVID-19: Update on processing of Aged Care Support Program Extension grants

In-home care

• Home Care Package providers: Collecting the income-tested care fee
• Home Care Packages program: Data report now available

Workforce

• Variations to grant agreement for Aged Care Registered Nurses’ payment – Round 1

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update: Issue 36

The Albanese Government is upgrading My Health Record to ensure that when Australians get a blood test or other diagnostic test, the results are uploaded to their My Health Record so the patient and their practitioner can see the result, quickly and automatically.

At the moment, only about half of pathology reports and just one in five diagnostic imaging reports are shared to My Health Record.

For the few results that are uploaded, patients usually have to wait seven days to view them.

These delays and missing test results are a barrier to good clinical practice, cause untold frustration for Australians, while also wasting scarce health system resources.

The Albanese Government will require pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to be uploaded to My Health Record by default.

Read more:

Upgrading My Health Record to save time and money

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated their advice for the COVID-19 booster dose.

If it has been six months since receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, an additional dose:

• is recommended for people aged 75 or older
• should be considered for people aged 65-74, following discussion with their health care provider.

Aged care residents who have not yet received any booster dose this year are advised to do so.

Read more:

ATAGI update: Additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccination dose

The Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) is in the process of finalising its review and advising Government of the outcome including delivering a set of strengthened Quality Standards. Further information on the consultation program that is informing the review of the Standards is available on the Department’s website.

The Commission is contributing to the revision of the Quality Standards in our role as the national regulator of aged care services.

To make sure that we are ready for the strengthened Standards, we are implementing the Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care Program. This program includes developing a revised audit methodology, processes and systems to enhance our capability, effectiveness and accountability under our internal regulatory processes. We will also need to provide clear and accessible pathways for providers and older Australians to speak to us.

Read more:

Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care Program

Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care Program – Vision (.pdf)

Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care Program – Provider fact sheet (.pdf)

Strengthened Quality Standards pilot project – Provider fact sheet (.pdf)

Strengthened Quality Standards framework analysis (.pdf)

The Australian Government supports residential and in-home aged care providers to protect older people during COVID-19 outbreaks.

A 2023 summer supply of bulk personal protective equipment (PPE) packs will be deployed to all residential aged care homes from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS).

Deployment to begin early September

PPE pack deliveries are scheduled to commence in early September 2023, starting with rural and remote aged care homes. Deployment will be completed by December 2023. This will be the last seasonal PPE bulk deployment from the NMS to aged care homes.

Read more:

2023 summer bulk PPE pack deployment

The Albanese Government has been working with older people, their families and carers, the aged care sector and design experts to improve the design of residential aged care accommodation.

The Government is now seeking feedback on the draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, which have been developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The Government wants to encourage flexibility and innovation in accommodation design and support providers to create safe and comfortable living environments that promote independence, function and enjoyment.

The draft Principles and Guidelines consider a range of design elements, including:

• accessibility
• dementia-friendly design principles
• the role of ‘small home models’ with residents living together in smaller ‘households’
• needs of diverse communities.

Read more:

Improving quality of life through accommodation design

News about the reforms

• Residential aged care pricing activities – access for the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority

Sector news

• Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk
• Webinar: Neuropsychological aspects of dementia
• COVID-19: Additional vaccine dose recommendation

Residential care

• 24/7 registered nurse reporting for August now due
• Changes to care minutes allocations
• Grant opportunity: Specialist Dementia Care Program

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update: Issue 34