News

News about the reforms:

• Code of Conduct for Aged Care now available
• Reminder: Aged Care Quality Standards consultation webinar
• HCP Program Assurance Community of Practice: Live chat session
• Reminder: Aged care reform pulse survey

Other news:

• Dementia Australia webinar and BrainTrack app launch
• National Aged Care Data Strategy consultation: A chance to have your say
• Employer Engagement Webinars: Expanding the Aged Care Workforce through Australian Apprenticeships (Traineeships)
• National Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program

For residential care providers:

• Submitting ACFI appraisals after 1 October 2022
• My Aged Care Service and Support Portal: Explainer videos and systems process map
• National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program data due 21 October 2022
• Specialist Dementia Care Program Grant Opportunity now open for two Queensland regions
• Reminder: Accommodation costs for a low-means resident in an extra service place

For home care providers:

• Reminder: Wellness and Reablement Report for CHSP providers

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/22 (.pdf)

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

Read more:

Summaries of My Aged Care system changes – October 2022 (.pdf)

Council of Elders communique – 16 September 2022 (.pdf)

Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) – Accessing care minutes targets in the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal

Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) – classifications, reclassifications and reconsiderations in the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal

Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) – palliative care entry process in the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal

My Aged Care – Service and Support Portal User Guide Part 2 – Team Leader and Staff Member Functions (.pdf)

How to access and use the Service and Support Portal for Serious Incident Response Scheme – Residential Aged Care services (.pdf)

New Arrangements for Aged Care from 1 July 2014 – Home Care (.pdf)

New Arrangements for Aged Care from 1 July 2014 – Residential Care (.pdf)

Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements for Aged Care – 1 October 2022 (.pdf)

Exposure draft of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Amendment (Code of Conduct and Banning Orders) Rules 2022 (.pdf)

Care and Support Sector Code of Conduct and Consultation Summary Report (.pdf)

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission new and updated resources.

Read more:

Serious Incident Response Scheme Guidelines for residential aged care providers (October 2022) (.pdf)

Effective serious incident investigations guidance for providers (October 2022) (.pdf)

Reportable incidents workflow (October 2022) (.pdf)

SIRS reportable incidents – Unreasonable use of force (October 2022) (.pdf)

SIRS reportable incidents – Unlawful sexual contact or inappropriate sexual conduct (October 2022) (.pdf)

SIRS reportable incidents – Neglect (October 2022) (.pdf)

SIRS reportable incidents – Psychological or emotional abuse (October 2022) (.pdf)

SIRS reportable incidents – Stealing or financial coercion by a staff member (October 2022) (.pdf)

SIRS reportable incidents – Inappropriate use of restrictive practices (October 2022) (.pdf)

RB 2021-12 Reconsideration of reviewable decisions (.docx)

The following aged care sector performance information includes statistics about residential aged care and home services. The performance information includes data from the Commission’s aged care quality regulatory and complaints functions.

Most frequently cited requirements where non-compliance was found:

1. 3a – Safe and effective personal and clinical care
2. 7a – Number and mix of workforce
3. 3b – High impact or high prevalence risks managed effectively
4. 8c – Effective governance systems
5. 8d – Risk management systems and practices
6. 2e – Regular reviews of care and services
7. 2a – Assessment and planning informs safe and effective services
8. 8e – Clinical governance framework
9. 7d – Recruitment training and support for workforce
10. 6d – Feedback and complaints reviewed for improvement

Top 10 complaint issues:

1. Medication administration and management
2. Personal and oral hygiene
3. Personnel number/sufficiency
4. Representative/family consultation
5. Falls prevention and post fall management
6. Change of clinical status/deterioration
7. Lack of consultation/communication
8. Food and catering – quality and variety
9. Constipation and continence management
10. Physical environment – cleanliness

Read more:

Sector performance report: April – June 2022 (.pdf)

Services Australia continues to prepare for the transition to the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) on 1 October 2022.

While Services Australia transitions to a new system, they are carefully monitoring to ensure payment accuracy with claims processing. This means claims may take longer to process. All eligible August claims will be processed and paid to enable advance payments to be paid as usual for October 2022.

Read more:

Getting ready for AN-ACC – Services Australia

The Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements has been updated to reflect changes due to the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) from 1 October 2022 (the date of effect). The updates are to residential aged care subsidies and supplements.

Please note that there is no change to home care subsidies and supplements. The rates that came into effect on 1 July 2022 for home care remain current.

Read more:

Updated residential aged care subsidies and supplements to reflect the introduction of the AN- ACC care funding model on 1 October 2022

Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements for Aged Care – 1 October 2022 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Update on preparations for reforms with regulatory implications
• Consultation process on draft revised Quality Standards
• Important SIRS reporting form changes on 3 October
• More site audits being undertaken
• Quality and safety in home services risks in focus – clinical care
• Everybody has a story: Delivering culturally inclusive care
• Recognising the signs of sepsis early can save lives
• Prudential Disclosure Standard – new fact sheet available
• Aged care scholarship applications close soon
• Webinar on upcoming changes to Specialisation Verification
• New and updated Commission resources

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #45 – September 2022

News about the reforms:

• Quarterly Financial Report portal open for quarter 1 submissions
• Update your provider information on My Aged Care: Service Availability
• Important SIRS reporting changes

Other news:

• Aged care scholarships close 10 October
• Webinar: Learn the ten steps to developing a diversity plan – register now
• National Aged Care Data Strategy consultation: A chance to have your say
• Advance notice: Visitors scheme grant round and webinar
• Changes to Find A Provider Tool in My Aged Care

For residential care providers:

• Residential aged care means assessment under AN-ACC
• Important changes to additional service fees under the AN-ACC funding reforms
• Viewing residential respite classes in My Aged Care Service and Support Portal
• Requesting a reconsideration or reclassification for permanent and respite resident

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update #21 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Webinar – aged care COVID-19 update
• Revised CDNA Guidelines and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) update
• COVID-19 vaccination for aged care residents
• Additional support available under COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant (GO4863)

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update 30 September 2022

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

Read more:

National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program Manual 3.0 – Part A (.pdf)

Posters for the review of Aged Care Quality Standards (.pdf)

Aged Care Quality Standards – Public Consultation (.pdf)

Independent evaluation of the Aged Care Quality Standards – Summary (.pdf)

AN-ACC Provider process map (.pdf)

Electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) transitional arrangement – Pharmacy information pack (.pdf)

The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Funding Guide (.pdf)

AN-ACC Shadow Dashboard (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Shared decision making guide for frail older people, including those in residential aged care facilities (.pdf)

Base interest rate (BIR) and maximum permissible interest rate (MPIR) for residential aged care (.pdf)