Author: Jesse

Three new eLearning modules developed specifically for Aged Care workers are now online.

These modules are:

• Module 2: Families and Visitors
o Part A: Residential Care Facilities
o Part B: In Home Care
• Module 3: COVID-19 and Aged Care
• Module 4: Outbreak Management Procedures

On completion of these modules, participants will be able to:

• Identify when families or visitors should be visiting a client
• Implement precautions for all visitors entering the facility or the client’s home
• Demonstrate basic environmental cleaning procedures when caring for a person with COVID-19
• Demonstrate the appropriate infection prevention control measures for a COVID-19 outbreak.

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Three new eLearning modules Live

Modules can be accessed here

The federal government has launched an app and WhatsApp message service to provide Australians with information and advice about the fast changing coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed the digital offerings on Sunday, two weeks after the government first committed $2.4 million towards building an app.

Canberra-based tech firm Delv has spent the last two weeks building the app, while Atlassian and Facebook have developed the WhatsApp message service. Send the following to +61 400 253 787 on WhatsApp.

Morrison said the app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices, was “a trusted place of advice and information” for citizens about COVID-19.

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Australia launches COVID-19 app, WhatsApp chat

Coronavirus Australia app

Google Play Store – Coronavirus Australia

Apple App Store – Coronavirus Australia

WhatsApp message service – Send the following to +61 400 253 787 on WhatsApp

To provide continued access to essential primary health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government is expanding Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for all Australians and providing extra incentives to general practitioners and other health practitioners.

These critical changes have been designed in partnership with key stakeholders in the sector including the Australian Medical Association, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Allied Health Professionals Australia, Australian Psychological Society, and the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association.

We are making telehealth a key weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding the consultation services available by telehealth is the next critical stage in the Government’s response to COVID-19.

Services will include GP services and some consultation services provided by other medical specialists, nurse practitioners, mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, services to people with eating disorders, pregnancy support counselling, services to patients in aged care facilities, children with autism, and after-hours consultations.

Read more:

COVID-19: Whole of population telehealth for patients, general practice, primary care and other medical services

In this issue:

• New eLearning modules now live
• Changes to telehealth Aged Care assessments

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

In this issue:

• One day left to stop using AUSkey to log into the My Aged Care portal
• Update: The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
• PRODA outage 29 March 2020

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP):

• CHSP financial acquittals
• Social and Community Services funding supplementation
• CHSP extension and indexation

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Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2020/06 (.pdf)

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.

Read more:

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.

Read more:

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