News

Christmas period operational hours – DHS will be open and processing payments except for public holidays.

DHS will be closed on:

• Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 December 2017

• Monday 1 January 2018

Read more:

End of year reminders from DHS

In Case You Missed It – Below are links to recent articles on Aged Care and Healthcare that may be of interest.

Read more:

ACG – Backlash over new aged care workforce taskforce members

TWS – Bupa aged care workers in VIC reject 11% pay offer over three years

AAA – Robotics expert turns his talents to aged care

AAA – Exercise physiologists winners of new therapy program

ABC – Nursing homes to be audited without warning, Government announces

ACG – Bedside dental treatments to reach more in aged care

TG – Reports of poor standards in aged care are just the tip of the iceberg

The Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce has started its work, with new approaches planned to discuss and consult on workforce issues.

Early work underway.

The first step is to hold workshops to discuss why growing and sustaining the workforce is necessary to meet the care needs of older people across Australia. A range of organisations and people are being invited to participate, with the support of Taskforce members and a number of peak organisations.

Read more:

Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce starts

The department is aware of instances where clients’ home care packages have been withdrawn after they have started care.

This was discussed at the webinar on My Aged Care operations on 31 October 2017.

Read more:

Home care package withdrawals

The Australian Government is investing $20 million to improve My Aged Care. These enhancements have been identified through detailed co-design.

The Government has also committed $2.8 million to scope future investment to keep pace with the increasing demands of an ageing population.

Read more:

Enhancements to My Aged Care

Released: 1 November 2017

The Turnbull Government today announced an expert taskforce to develop a wide-ranging workforce strategy, focused on supporting safe, quality aged care for senior Australians.

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, said the work of the taskforce would be inclusive, with exhaustive national consultation.

“Everything is on the table but there are only two things that matter, safety and quality,” Minister Wyatt said.

“The Taskforce will reach out to senior Australians and their families, consumer organisations, informal carers, aged care workers and volunteers.

“It will also consult with many others including unions, health professionals, universities and the health, education, employment and disability sectors.”

The Taskforce will be led by Professor John Pollaers and will reference the June 2017 report of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the future of the aged care sector workforce, the workforce-related observations in the government commissioned Legislated Review of Aged Care 2017 and the recently released Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes.

Read more:

New aged care workforce taskforce to focus on safety and quality (.pdf)

A stakeholder communication paper on the Resource Utilisation and Classification Study (RUCS) has been published. This paper contains useful information on the RUCS for stakeholders and those with an interest in the study.

Read more:

Learn more about the Residential Aged Care Resource Utilisation and Classification Study

The Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP has announced the release of the report of the Carnell and Paterson Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes.

The report includes ten recommendations to increase the effectiveness of aged care quality regulation.

Read more:

Aged care regulatory processes review – report released

The announcement yesterday by the Minister for Aged Care that announced accreditation visits will be replaced with unannounced audits across Australia’s residential aged care homes is another reason to ensure you are using all the Manad Plus ‘Quality’ features to their full potential.

Some of these are:

• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plans. Including the ability to save links to the relevant information in your database which triggered the area for review and improvement. These are all tagged to the relevant outcome.

• Audits. Conduct self-audits against each of the outcomes and track what is and isn’t being met within your home. Document your findings and develop action plans.

• Meetings. Create agendas and then document all discussion items and improvements into minutes. Send action items to your CQI.

• Coming Soon (v5.6) – Surveys. Survey your residents, families and staff on the performance of your home and what they like and don’t like.

If you are unsure about how best to use any of the Manad Plus ‘Quality’ features to stay on top of your accreditation and compliance all year round then contact your Manad Plus Client Manager to discuss.

1300 62 62 32 (1300 MANAD2)

Released: 25 October 2017

Announced accreditation visits will be replaced with unannounced audits across Australia’s residential aged care facilities, to help ensure safe, quality care standards are maintained at all centres at all times.

Releasing the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes, Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt AM said the Turnbull Government would move as soon as possible to implement Recommendation 8, as it considers the entire review in detail.

“Aged care safety and quality are non-negotiable and must be delivered to residents 365 days of the year, without exception,” said Minister Wyatt.

“I ordered this review after the appalling revelations at South Australia’s Oakden facility, and there have been other high-profile aged care failures which have highlighted where parts of our systems have sadly let us down.

“While the overwhelming majority of facilities provide excellent care and are working to continually improve services, our focus must be on those that are not delivering.”

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency will continue to conduct initial accreditation audits in consultation with the provider, to allow them to understand the standards and meet licensing requirements.

“The old process of notifying providers ahead of subsequent re-accreditation reviews will go, replaced by comprehensive unannounced audits” said the Minister. “Our commitment to this will be relentless, on behalf of all older Australians, who deserve nothing but the best of care.

“I remain equally committed to working with all aged care providers and the entire care sector, to ensure our quality and safety standards are world-class.”

Read more:

Media Release – Quality review released: Aged care assessment visits to be unannounced (.pdf)

Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes Report (.pdf)