Author: Jesse

Dear aged care service provider,

Re: Advice regarding COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

I am writing to provide updated advice regarding COVID-19 (formerly known as novel coronavirus) to all aged care service providers, including providers of residential aged care services, home services and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care program.

While the number of cases of COVID-19 is currently small in Australia, it is possible that this situation could change at any time, and providers of all services need to give a high priority to planning and being prepared for this scenario. I refer you to the important advice on this matter issued to aged care providers by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy on 26 February 2020.

Read more:

Commissioner’s letter to aged care providers (.pdf)

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – Proportionate risk-based regulatory response to COVID-19 (.pdf)

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will hold a hearing in Adelaide on the morning of Wednesday 4 March 2020 for the purpose of hearing submissions from Senior Counsel Assisting, Peter Gray QC, on aged care program redesign.

The submissions that Mr Gray QC is expected to make will address central elements of program design in light of Consultation Paper 1 – Aged care program redesign: services for the future and evidence from witnesses at Adelaide Workshop 1.

These will include: information and navigation, care assessment, ‘care finders’, reablement, respite, and aged care settings including home care, residential care and innovative models of care and accommodation. Mr Gray QC will outline Counsel Assisting’s current proposals for future aged care program design.

The hearing will be held in:

• Court 11, Level 3, Roma Mitchell Building, Commonwealth Law Courts, Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000, beginning at 10.00am (ACDT).

Following the hearing, Counsel Assisting’s written submissions on program redesign will be published, and there will be a general invitation for written submissions in response by Wednesday 18 March 2020.

There will be no need for anyone wishing to make a submission to obtain leave to appear at the hearing. There will be no witnesses at this hearing.

Read more:

Hearings

Consultation Paper 1 – Program Design in Aged Care (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Commissioner message
• Getting to know the Standards – Standard 6 Feedback and complaints
• Alis – our new online learning solution – is live
• Consumer engagement resources
• Additional risk assessment of compulsory reports
• From the Chief Clinical Advisor
• Assessing the Standards workshops – still time to book

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #14 February 2020

The Government recently announced a Business Improvement Fund to support eligible residential care providers improve their business operations.

The fund will provide targeted grant based assistance to providers at greatest risk of service failure, particularly where the impacts on residents would be highest.

The first phase of the application process has now commenced with the release of the Business Case Template which providers will be required to submit as part of their application, along with independent business advice.

Read more:

Commencement of Business Improvement Fund Application Process

Business Improvement Fund for residential care

PWC – Business advisory services for aged care providers

In the 2019-20 Budget, the Australian Government announced improvements to payment arrangements for home care packages. This will align home care with other Government-funded programs where providers are paid in arrears and for actual services delivered once they are delivered.

Last year, the Aged Care Financing Authority (ACFA) consulted with home care providers on the potential financial impact of these changes. The department also consulted with providers on the non-financial impacts.

Having considered the outcome of those consultations it has been determined that phase 1, home care payments in arrears will commence on 1 June 2020.

Read more:

Improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages

DoH – Improved Payment Arrangements for Home Care

In this issue:

• Update on the Specialist Dementia Care Program
• Commencement date on Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) assessments
• COMPASS website and 1800ElderHelp (1800 353 374) line

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2020/3 (.pdf)

Please find attached a letter from the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer to Residential Aged Care Providers regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The letter addresses the importance of infection control and health emergency planning in residential care. Providers are encouraged to consider and share the letter with your services.

Further information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) is available on the department’s website

Read more:

Letter from the Chief Medical Officer regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Residential Aged Care Infection Control and Emergency Planning (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert

Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (.pdf)

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

In this edition:

• Deadline for submissions
• Please share your story with us
• Aged Care Royal Commission 2020 Hearings
• About the Royal Commission Interim Report
• The Final Report
• Royal Commission Workshops: Explained
• FAQs

Read more:

Aged Care Royal Commissions Newsletter – Issue 4 – January 2020 (.pdf)

The Business Improvement Fund gives short-term targeted grants to eligible aged care providers who are at risk of severe financial difficulty ensuring the need of senior Australians are met. It prioritises those in rural and remote areas and providers who were affected by bushfires.

Read more:

Business Improvement Fund for Residential Care fact sheet (.pdf)

This information is for aged care providers.

It supplements the ACFI user guide and helps providers to complete the ACFI assessment.

This fact sheet includes information on:

• the ACFI assessment tools
• the 7 day rule
• checklist items 12.4a and b: complex pain management
• checklist item 12.12: arthritis and oedema

Read more:

Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) – additional information (.pdf)