News

The Department of Health has released a new edition of its ‘Information for Aged Care Providers’ newsletter.

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue #2017/08 (.pdf)

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has released the May 2017 issue of their ‘Quality Standard’ newsletter.

Read more:

Quality Standard – May 2017 (.pdf)

Australian Aged Care Quality Agency

The 2017-2018 Annual Service, Support & Upgrade Fee Invoices will be emailed during May, for renewal for the coming financial year.

All annual fees currently expire on 30 June 2017 so please ensure your accounts department has processed this prior to expiry to continue receiving support and all upgrades from 1 July 2017 onward.

If your accounts payable department has an updated email address for invoices to be sent to or you don’t receive the invoice during May, then please email accounts@manad.com.au to request another copy or to update your details.

The Department of Health is currently working with the Aged Care Sector Committee Diversity Sub-Group to develop an Aged Care Diversity Framework.

The first stage of public consultations is now open for the development of a broader diversity Framework to build on and replace the existing National Ageing and Aged Care Strategies for:

• People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds; and

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.

The consultation is open from 8 May 2017 to 19 June 2017 and takes around 20 minutes to complete.

Read more:

Diversity framework consultation now open

Development of the Aged Care Diversity Framework

The Department of Health has developed a 24 minute educational video with the Aged Care Channel on LGBTI: Inclusion and Awareness for the aged care sector.

This free video highlights LGBTI communities’ expectations for inclusive and safe services using:

• community testimonials;

• supporting policies; and

• resources.

Anyone can register to watch this video on demand. It will also be available via the department’s website soon.

Read more:

New video – LGBTI: Inclusion and Awareness

On Wednesday 17 May at 1:30 PM AEST (GMT +10 hours), the Department of Health will host a webinar for the University of Wollongong to present on their report.

This webinar will include:

• key findings;

• an outline of the five options presented in the report; and

• an overview of the key features and building blocks of the University’s recommended option.

The webinar forms part of the Government’s consultations with the sector on options for residential aged care funding reform.

Read more:

Webinar: University of Wollongong Report into Residential Aged Care Funding Reform

Link to Webinar: http://livestream.education.gov.au/health/17may2017/

On Monday 15 May at 2:00 PM AEST (GMT +10 hours), the Department of Health will host a webinar to provide an update on the home care reforms and ongoing system and process improvements.

The webinar will focus on:

• an update on home care package activities – including the package release schedule, flow of referrals and using the provider portal;

• understanding the framework that Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) apply to the package level and priority recommendations for home care packages; and

• ongoing work associated with system and process improvements for the sector.

Read more:

Webinar: Home care reforms and ongoing improvements – 15 May

Link to Webinar: http://livestream.education.gov.au/health/15may2017/

Released: 01 May 2017

The Turnbull Government is commissioning an independent review of the Commonwealth’s aged care quality regulatory processes to determine why they did not identify the extent of the failures of care at Makk and McLeay wards, as documented in the recent South Australian Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service review.

The Federal Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, said he was shocked and concerned to hear about the mistreatment of people at the Makk and McLeay wards at the South Australian Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of older people who reside in aged care services are of paramount importance to the Australian Government,” Minister Wyatt said.

Read more:

Federal Aged Care Minister to Commission Review of Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes (.pdf)

The Department of Health has released a new edition of its ‘Information for Aged Care Providers’ newsletter.

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue #2017/07 (.pdf)

Younger people currently accessing residential care or home care services may be eligible for support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS is rolling out in stages across Australia, and will be available nationally by the end of 2019.

If you have a younger person in your residential care or home care services, now is the time to familiarise yourself with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Read more:

Can you help younger people in your service transition to the NDIS?

Younger people in aged care