News

As the industry is no doubt aware, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Commission) has ramped up its regulatory activity in both residential and home care over the last few months. With unprecedented staffing shortages, many providers, including those with previously flawless compliance histories, are being found to be non-compliant with one or more of the Aged Care Quality Standards.

A finding of “Not Met” with any of the Quality Standards can trigger further regulatory powers and lead to sanctions, or in extreme cases, the revocation of accreditation or even approved provider status. As Notices of Non-Compliance are published, it can affect a providers’ reputation. It is important for providers to take any finding of non-compliance very seriously and do what they can to overturn the finding.

Read more:

6 tips for responding to Aged Care Audit Reports

The Albanese Labor Government has announced it will conduct a capability review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Minister for Aged Care the Hon. Anika Wells today confirmed that the capability review would proceed after the former Morrison Government failed to act on the Royal Commission recommendation.

“Australians told us that quality and safety in aged care is of utmost importance, and the Albanese Labor Government is progressing this review,” Minister Wells said.

“The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is responsible for protecting and improving the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life for older Australians receiving funded aged care services.

“It is critical that the Commission is fit for purpose.”

Read more:

Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

News about the reforms:

• In-home aged care reform to be delivered by 1 July 2024
• Update: Aged Care Financial Report
• Quarterly Financial Reporting and care minutes

Other news:

• Aged care providers need to have specialised services verified on My Aged Care
• Dementia Carer Respite and Wellbeing Program
• Free online healthy ageing tool
• Webinar: Volunteering and Swinburne’s Digital Story Program in Aged Care
• Online Aged Care Mental Health Training

For residential care providers:

• Residential respite care funding under AN-ACC

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/14 (.pdf)

The reform agenda anticipated in the wake of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission) has recommenced.

On 27 July 2022, the Government introduced two new aged care Bills to the House of Representatives:

1. Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 (Care Reform Bill); and
2. Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022 (Royal Commission Response Bill 2022).

The Royal Commission Response Bill 2022 quickly progressed through the House of Representatives, and passed the Senate on 2 August 2022 without amendment.

The Care Reform Bill was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, with a report due on 31 August 2022.

Approved Providers should act quickly to ensure compliance with these Bills, with some reform expected as soon as 1 October 2022.

Read more:

New Aged Care Bills have landed – An overview of expected reform

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission new and updated resources.

Read more:

Reportable incidents workflow (July 2022) (.pdf)

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

COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments in residential aged care services – July 2022 (.pdf)

How prepared are you for a COVID-19 outbreak? – fact sheet (.pdf)

It is a great honour to announce that Management Advantage has been doing business in the aged care sector for an unbelievable 30 years.

It was founded in 1992 by Ruth Staples, and it has been helping and continues to help aged care homes provide better care through both the professional services we initially offered and now through software.

Thank you to everyone who has been working with us over the years and continues to help us evolve our software application Manad Plus, Manad Plus Finance and our Manad Plus Mobile App.

We look forward to the next 30!

Peter Staples
CEO

Residential aged care facilities

Whilst the current Commonwealth government has not made it clear whether they will mandate flu vaccinations in aged care in 2022, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have all introduced new mandates to varying degrees in respect of residents, visitors, employees and volunteers in residential aged care facilities. Other States and Territories have not elected to introduce mandates at this stage, but many recommend up to date flu vaccinations for people attending facilities.

This follows the Australia Health Protection Principal Committee’s ‘Statement on winter season preparedness’ which noted:

1. all residents are strongly recommended to receive an influenza vaccination,
2. aged care workers are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against influenza; and
3. visitors are strongly recommended to receive an influenza vaccine.

Read more:

Aged Care Alert | Flu vaccination mandates in the aged care sector in 2022

In this edition:

• Winter preparedness webinar series
• Reminder – Vaccinations for influenza and COVID-19
• Reminder – Aged Care Emergency and Crisis Management Training Program available until 30 June 2022

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 27 May 2022

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

Read more:

COVID-19 Winter dose Information kit for residential aged care providers (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Booster information for residential aged care workers – are you up to date? (.pdf)

AN-ACC Shadow Dashboard (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Guidance for residential aged care providers on reporting resident and workforce COVID-19 vaccinations (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – winter doses for senior Australians (.pdf)

Questions and Answers from AN-ACC roadshow (.pdf)

Residential Aged Care Funding Reform – Transitioning from ACFI to AN-ACC and Care Minutes (link)

Use of Tamiflu in residential aged care (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Vaccine dose policy (.pdf)

Reducing heater burn risks in residential aged care services

Key points:

• Hydronic heaters can cause severe burns to aged care service residents
• Providers are advised to review hydronic heater risks and take appropriate action e.g. move beds away from heaters, install guards to prevent direct contact, monitor heat settings and conduct regular maintenance.

Serious burns incidents from the use of hydronic heaters in residential aged care services are reported to the Commission each year.

As the weather becomes cooler, providers and service staff are reminded to regularly review and check the use of this equipment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your residents throughout the winter season.

Read more:

Clinical Alerts: Heaters and burns