News

DoH has released an update on the new arrangements for compulsory reporting under the Aged Care Act 1997.

A streamlined approach to receiving compulsory reports is being introduced on 15 February 2016 to make reporting easier for approved providers. Approved providers will be able to report by completing a form which will be available on the department’s website.

Read more:

New arrangements for compulsory reporting under the Aged Care Act 1997

At the end of May 2015, the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, asked the Authority to undertake a detailed and focussed study into the factors influencing the financial performance of rural and remote aged care providers.

The study was requested to include residential, home care package, Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flexible fund programme (NATSIFACP) providers operating in rural and remote locations across Australia, with a report to be delivered to the Government.

Read more:

Financial Issues Affecting Rural and Remote Aged Care Providers (.pdf)

Russell Kennedy recently acted for an approved provider in an appeal at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of a decision by the Department of Social Services to downgrade the classification of a number of residents at its facility.

DLW Health Services had conducted pain management program using a contracted registered physiotherapist who would attend the facility around once a week. This physiotherapist would assess all the residents and complete directives and care plans. On the days the physiotherapist was not at the facility, the treatment was physically delivered by a physiotherapy assistant who had obtained a physiotherapy degree in India and was in the process of seeking registration in Australia. The assistant worked under the supervision of the registered physiotherapist in a manner in keeping with the Physiotherapy Code of Practice, which allows for a physiotherapist to delegate certain tasks after assessing the delegatee to be competent to perform those tasks.

Read more:

Russell Kennedy – Landmark Victory: Aged Care Provider Wins over DSS in ACFI Funding Dispute

Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia – DLW Health Services Pty Ltd and Secretary, Department of Social Services [2015] AATA 796 (13 October 2015)

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has released the December 2015 issue of their ‘Quality Standard’ newsletter.

Read more:

Quality Standard – December 2015 (.pdf)

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

Information for Aged Care Providers – 1 January 2016 Special Edition (.pdf)

From all the staff at Management Advantage we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Thank you for your continued support in 2015 and we look forward to working with you all as we continue to develop Manad Plus even further in 2016.

We will be working over the holiday season, however we’ll be taking a well-deserved break on the following 3 days:

– Friday December 25th – Closed
– Monday December 28th – Closed
– Friday January 1st – Closed

This year at Christmas we have supported Médecins Sans Frontières and the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre Melbourne. We hope this can help both these organisations with their much-needed humanitarian work here and abroad, in thanks for all we have.

Department of Human Services have published a communique regarding intermittent issues that have been experienced in the Aged Care Online Services system.

Read more:

Aged Care Online Services – Intermittent System Issues (.pdf)

Thank you to everyone that continues to let us know we provide great support when you use our help desk. We really appreciate the feedback.

When you call or email it’s nice to hear that our support team of Ash, Melaan, Roshni, Jacquie & Andy are providing you with great support and assistance that you value.

Our 2015 stats are at a 99% satisfaction rating!

DoH have released a communique from DSS regarding the Carer Gateway.

Read more:

Department of Social Services communique – Carer Gateway (.pdf)

The Stocktake and Analysis of Commonwealth-funded Aged Care Workforce Activities Report includes 54 activities that received Commonwealth funding between 2011–12 and 2013–14 directly related to supporting the aged care workforce.

Read more:

Stocktake and Analysis of Commonwealth-funded Aged Care Workforce Activities – final report (.pdf)