News

The Australian Government has released the Aged Care Reform Roadmap to provide an indicative timeline for key reform elements.

Our aim is to help the sector understand what’s coming, be involved in reforms and prepare for the changes ahead to improve aged care.

The dates on the roadmap are subject to change and will be updated regularly to keep sector informed. The roadmap includes major reform elements, sector consultation activities, events and links to more information.

We continue to work closely with the aged care sector and older people in Australia.

We invite older people, families and carers, aged care providers and workers, researchers and experts to help us design changes to aged care, which will benefit everyone.

Watch:

Anika Wells MP: Ambition for Aged Care address at the National Press Club, 7 June 2023

Read more:

Minister for Aged Care and Sport – National Press Club – 7 June 2023

Aged care reform roadmap

News about the reforms:

• The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards have been updated
• IHACPA release of AN-ACC pricing advice

Sector news:

• How Dementia Support Australia can help
• Webinar: Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
• Commission webinar: Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care Program
• Consultation open: Draft National Strategy for the Care and Support Economy
• Aged care workforce insights to support decision making
• Trauma-informed care and mental health resources
• Vision Australia webinar for RAS and ACAT assessors: Understanding low vision and blindness

For home care providers:

• Quarterly Financial Report: New requirements for Quarter 4 for home care providers

For residential care providers:

• Stocktake: Residential Aged Care Accommodation Design

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2023/21 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• 2023 COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose
• Study on effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for people over 65
• COVID-19 and flu
• How to get your 2023 COVID-19 booster
• Top 3 Questions from aged care COVID-19 Webinar on 26 May 2023
• COVID-19 Infection Control Online Training for aged care workers
• COVID-19 Oral antiviral treatments

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update 2 June 2023

News about the reforms:

• Support at Home program to commence from 1 July 2025

Sector news:

• Get involved: Provider workforce survey opens tomorrow
• Governing for Reform in Aged Care: Coaching available
• Webinar: Reminiscence therapy

For home care providers:

• Home Care Packages subsidy increase: fact sheets
• CHSP providers: Grant funding to support wage rise
• Vision Australia webinar: Vision loss – tips for CHSP providers

For residential care providers:

• Temporary threshold for 24/7 registered nurse supplement
• REMINDER: Webinar this Thursday, 1 June: 24/7 registered nurse responsibility for residential aged care

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2023/20 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Aged care reforms update
• Food, nutrition and dining
• Clinical update
• Webinars
• Governing for reform
• Training and resources

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #53 – May 2023

Sector news:

• National Palliative Care Week 21-27 May
• Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk
• Reminder: Digital Maturity National Survey
• Governing for Reform in Aged Care: Podcast season 2 now available
• Clinical alert: Hot water scalding

For residential care providers:

• Webinar: 24/7 registered nurse responsibility for residential aged care
• Increased funding and care minutes changes in residential aged care

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2023/19 (.pdf)

This alert follows an incident in NSW where a person receiving personal care from a disability services provider suffered severe burns (scalds) while being bathed and subsequently died from their injuries.

Key points:

Providers must ensure there is clear oversight of staff, and that they receive appropriate education and training to safely provide personal care, such as bathing and/or showering.

Those providing direct care need to:

• always check the water temperature
• know the immediate response required to treat a scald/burn
• apply immediate and appropriate first aid treatment
• understand when to seek medical attention and/or seek emergency treatment.

Read more:

Clinical Alert: Hot water scalding

The Department of Health & Aged Care have released updates to the Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities documents:

They have released updated and/or new guides on:

1. Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities (.pdf)
2. User Guide – Role of a Medication Advisory Committee (.pdf)
3. Fact Sheet – Achieving continuity in medication management (.pdf)
4. Audit tool and checklist for a Medication Advisory Committee (MAC) (.pdf)

Dr Melanie Wroth MB BS, FRACP
Chief Clinical Advisor

This alert is in response to a recent Coronial report from Tasmania where an aged care resident was severely injured and subsequently died from a fall due to hoist failure.

I would like to remind providers of their obligations to ensure there is clear oversight for maintenance checking and servicing of equipment used in aged care.

Records of maintenance schedules should be kept for all equipment. It should also be clear who is responsible to monitor checking dates, arrange for checking/servicing of equipment according to manufacturer recommendations, scheduling technician visits, and ensuring that follow up actions occur.

Specific use limitations must also be adhered to e.g. weight or load limits.

Read More:

Clinical Alerts: The importance of preventing equipment failures

A list of new and updated resources – including apps, audio and video resources and other publications – about aged care.

Read more:

Quarterly Financial Report webinar video – December 2022 (video)

Government Provider Management System (GPMS) fact sheet (.pdf)

Business to Government (B2G) fact sheet (December 2022) (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for health and residential care facilities (.pdf)

Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN ACC) – Specialised status guide for residential aged care approved providers (.pdf)

Consent requirements for the use of restrictive practices in residential aged care (.pdf)