News

Stay connected and stay up-to-date with what is happening in the aged care industry and with Manad Plus

Published: April 4, 2022
feature image

Sentinel events annual report 2020-21

Sentinel events are the most serious adverse patient safety events in our healthcare system. And it’s important that we all learn from them.

That’s why we release this report every year – to share what we have learnt and to help health services prevent similar events.

Even when our healthcare system faces extraordinary challenges, 2020–21 demonstrated continued commitment by our health services to recognise, review and respond to adverse patient safety events.

This year, we focused on three sentinel event themes:

• mental health
• residential aged care
• the impact of COVID-19 in healthcare settings.

Read more:

Supporting patient safety: Learning from sentinel events – Annual report 2020–21 (.pdf)

Published: April 4, 2022
feature image

Re-scheduled : Update on Aged Care and COVID-19 with the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services

Please note that today’s meeting has been rescheduled to:

• Monday 4 April, 4.00pm – 5.00pm (AEST).

If you have already registered to attend, you will have received an updated calendar notification and you do not need to register again.

We apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause.

If you have not previously registered, you can still do so for the new time. Please register to attend.

Read more:

Re-scheduled : Update on Aged Care and COVID-19 with the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services

Published: April 4, 2022
feature image

Winter Preparedness PPE Packs

As part of the Australian Government’s investment of a further $1.2 billion to prepare and protect senior Australians against COVID-19 and influenza this winter, the Australian Government is pre-positioning personal protective equipment (PPE) standard packs in all residential aged care services. This includes residential aged care facilities (RACFs), multi-purpose services (MPS), and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFACP) services.

PPE is a vital component of effective outbreak management and having both the right types and amount of stock on-hand, as well as a place to safely store it and access it quickly is crucial.

Read more:

Winter Preparedness PPE Packs

Published: April 1, 2022
feature image

Statement of Expectations 2022

Dear Janet,

As the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, I am writing to outline my expectations of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Commission), with a focus on the next 12 months.

These expectations are consistent with the Australian Government’s commitment to ensure effective governance and performance of the Commission, in accordance with the requirements of the Aged Care Act 1997, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Commission Act) and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).

The Government’s five-year plan, built around five pillars and underpinned by additional investment of over $18 billion, provides a clear roadmap for improvements in aged care to restore trust and confidence in the aged care sector. This is a once in a generation
opportunity to deliver transformational change and will see a significant shift and uplift across the aged care sector, as well as within the Commission.

Read more:

Minister Colbeck Statement of Expectations 1 April 2022 (.pdf)

Published: March 29, 2022
feature image

Record investment in the future of Australia’s health system

The Coalition Government is investing in a stronger health system as part of our plan for a stronger future through a record $132 billion in 2022–23, increasing to $140 billion in 2025–26, with a total commitment of $537 billion over the next four years.

This record funding will ensure Australians have access to improved healthcare, when and where they need it, helping them to lead healthier lives, with improved health outcomes and to provide ongoing protection against COVID-19.

We are strengthening our commitment to Australia’s Long Term National Health Plan, through important and strategic investments to deliver the world’s best health care system.

Read more:

Record investment in the future of Australia’s health system

Published: March 28, 2022
feature image

Improving food and nutrition in aged care

New compulsory reporting on food and nutrition in residential aged care has revealed the amount providers spend each day, per person, has increased significantly.

Since 1 July 2021, the Morrison Government has provided an additional $10 per day per resident to eligible residential aged care providers.

By the end of December 2021, approximately $350 million was distributed to residential aged care providers to improve the delivery of care and services including food and nutrition.

To continue to receive this 2021 Basic Daily Fee supplement, providers are required to report to the Department of Health every three months on food and nutrition expenditure, and the quality of daily living services provided to residents.

Data collected through a new quarterly reporting system shows that the average spend on food and nutrition for residents has risen considerably since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety cited $6 per day as found in a 2017 study.

Read more:

Improving food and nutrition in aged care

Published: March 25, 2022
feature image

On-site pharmacists to improve medication management in RACFs

The Morrison Government will improve medication management and safety for aged care residents by investing $345.7 million for on-site pharmacists and community pharmacy services in government-funded residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, announced the funding at the annual Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference, currently underway on the Gold Coast.

“Improving medication management for senior Australians living in aged care is part of the Government’s generational reform of the sector,” Minister Hunt said.

“Having a pharmacist and community pharmacy services on-site will give residents and their families confidence that medications are regularly reviewed, appropriate and needed.

“The pharmacist will also gain an in-depth understanding of medication issues across the facility and will be well-placed to improve medical management and safety.

“This is especially important when we consider the overuse of antipsychotics, known as chemical restraint, and we will continue to work closely with the aged care sector, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in implementing these important reforms.”

Read more:

On-site pharmacists to improve medication management in RACFs

Published: March 25, 2022
feature image

Senate to debate proposed restrictive practices amendments

Published by: Victor Harcourt, Anita Courtney, Johanna Heaven, Matthew Goessler, Despina Hrambanis

In September 2021, the second tranche of legislative reform stemming from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission) was introduced to Federal Parliament. Importantly, the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021 (The Bill) proposes further amendments to the restrictive practices provisions which were introduced in 2021.

As many providers are aware, the practical implementation of the restrictive practices amendments resulted in ambiguity in relation to the authorisation of substitute decision-makers to provide consent on behalf of care recipient for the use of restrictive practices.

With the Bill before Senate in the week starting 28 March 2022, it is timely for approved providers to consider whether changes are required at a compliance or clinical level if the Bill passes, as hoped.

Read more:

Senate to debate proposed restrictive practices amendments

Contact manad plus

Send a message

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Give us a call

Management Advantage Pty Ltd
Suite 2, 430 Rae Street
Fitzroy North
VIC 3068
1300 62 62 32
info@manad.com.au

Support

1300 62 62 32 support@manad.com.au