Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission new and updated resources.
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Stakeholder Engagement Strategy 2023-2025 (.pdf)
Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline Stakeholder Communications Kit (.pdf)
Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline – Stakeholder Communication Kit Image Assets (.zip)
Prudential audit documentation checklist (.pdf)
Prudential audit factsheet (.pdf)
Procedural fairness and worker regulation – A fact sheet for aged care workers and governing persons (.pdf)
From today residential aged care providers can preview their updated Star Ratings on the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
Star Rating previews will be available for two weeks.
This update to Star Ratings will include April-June data for Staffing and Quality Measures, with Compliance information updated daily, in response to regulatory decisions.
Services that completed the Residents’ Experience Survey from June to the end of August will see their results reflected in this Star Ratings update. Residents’ Experience Reports will continue to be distributed to participating aged care homes 6 weeks after completion of the survey.
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A list of new and updated resources – including apps, audio and video resources and other publications – about aged care.
Read more:
Provider Operations Reporting – FAQs (.pdf)
AN-ACC assessment pathways fact sheet (.pdf)
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding guide (.pdf)
Guide to palliative care entry into aged care homes (.pdf)
Registered nurse coverage in residential aged care dashboard (.pdf)
Care minutes in aged care homes (.pdf)
Webinar: Quarterly Financial Report – what’s changed (watch)
Greater transparency about aged care providers and services – Questions and Answers (.pdf)
Aged care reform roadmap – 2022 to 2025 (.pdf)
Continence Aids Payment Scheme Application Guidelines and Application Form (.pdf)
Government Provider Management System (GPMS) fact sheet (.pdf)
Screenshots of the Provider Operations Collection Form (.pdf)
In a raft of reforms to the responsibilities of approved providers of aged care related to governance which commenced in December 2022, the term ‘governing body’ was inserted into the Aged Care Act 1997. It has created a lot of confusion in the context of the obligation to have a governing body comprised of a majority of independent non-executive persons.
For example, we have been recently asked by a number of approved providers that are companies whether they could meet this obligation but not appoint them as directors. The confusion is not helped by statements such as the following on a website (it was recently removed):
Does a member of the governing body need to be a director of the company?
No. It is possible for a member of your governing body to be a director of the company, but it is not essential. It is important to remember that the majority of your governing body should consist of independent non-executive members. A company director would not be considered independent in this context.
This alert provides an overview of the meaning of ‘governing body’ in aged care legislation, how the term ‘governing person’ is not relevant, and how the new responsibilities relating to approved providers’ governing bodies will affect their organisations.
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The Albanese Government has today launched a design ideas competition to test the draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, developed to help aged care homes better meet the needs of residents.
The competition, Reimagining Where We Live, challenges architects and interior designers to come up with innovative ideas when applying the Principles and Guidelines.
The competition will include two sites – one metropolitan and one regional – with teams invited to enter designs for one or both. For each site, a first prize of $50,000 and second prize of $20,000 is available.
The aim of the Principles and Guidelines is to help providers make practical changes to aged care homes and support older people to live meaningful lives in safe environments that promote independence, function and a sense of belonging.
The competition is endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
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Challenging architects and designers to reimagine the future of aged care homes
Notable Dates
• Aged care sector pulse survey – Closes 31 October
• Webinar: Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy (Workforce and Sector) – Tuesday 24 October
• Webinar: Quality improvement in residential aged care – Thursday 2 November
News about the reforms
• Updated roadmap shows progress of the Aged Care Reform
• Governing for Reform in Aged Care – updated content available
Sector news
• Reminder: Reporting deadlines for providers
• What to expect and how to prepare for the high-risk weather season
• More regular reviews of aged care fees
In-home care
• Webinar: Introduction to accessible documents
Residential care
• Star Ratings quarterly update: Provider preview available
• Reminder: Quality Indicator reporting is closing soon
• Free training for aged care home kitchen teams – apply now
• Webinar: Family carer support in residential aged care
• Reminder: Seeking provider input to the Residents’ Experience Survey process
• Reminder: Provide your feedback on draft Design Principles and Guidelines for residential accommodation
Workforce
• Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program
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A new independent statutory authority called the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care has been established today. This new authority will help improve the aged care system so older people can get the care they need. It will do this by calling out problems and identifying areas for improvement, through reports to the Australian Parliament.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that the Australian Government set up this office. The government did this through the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023.
The Act gives the Inspector-General powers to:
• investigate systemic issues across the aged care system, including complaints management processes
• report on the Government’s implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission’s final report.
The Inspector-General will report findings and recommendations on systemic aged care issues to the Australian Government, parliament and public.
The government is currently going through a selection process to appoint the Inspector-General. Until this happens, Mr Ian Yates AM is the acting Inspector-General.
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New statutory agency to investigate systemic issues in aged care
On 1 October 2023, mandatory care minutes targets were introduced for residential aged care. Aged care providers must now deliver a sector average of 200 minutes of care per resident per day, including at least 40 minutes from a registered nurse.
Mandatory care minutes targets complement the requirement for aged care homes to have a registered nurse on-site, around the clock.
These new requirements mean that people living in aged care will have better access to personalised care to meet their individual care needs. Family members of aged care residents can have greater trust and confidence that their loved one is receiving the right level of care.
The majority of aged care homes are already meeting these new workforce responsibilities.
In August 2023, the sector reported that, on average, a registered nurse was on-site and on duty 98.08% of the time, 23.5 hours a day.
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In this edition:
• Commissioner’s message
• Aged care reforms update
• Food, nutrition and dining
• Clinical update
• Webinars
• Governing for reform
• Training and resources
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Updated Schedules
Updated Schedules for residential and home care will apply from 20 September 2023.
View the updated Schedule of fees and charges for care recipients who started care:
• on or after 1 July 2014
• before 1 July 2014
View the updated Schedule of subsidies and supplements.
Quarterly Review
Services Australia’s quarterly review of residential and home care fees will take effect from 20 September 2023, updating care recipients’ fees to align with any changes in their financial circumstances.
The quarterly review for residential and home care will take place on 23 September 2023. The online claiming system for home care and residential care will be unavailable from 6pm Friday 22 September to 8am Monday 25 September.
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