News

The Australian Government is closely monitoring the situation across the country, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria.

Single site workforce arrangements and funding support extensions
In recognition of the extended COVID-19 hotspot declaration from the Australian Government Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, single site workforce arrangements and Australian Government support funding is being extended to 11 September for all local government areas across Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.

Read more:

Single site funding support extended for COVID-19 impacted areas in New South Wales and Victoria

Additional resources have been released on the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program.

Watch:

The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) Webinar

Read more:

National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program Manual 2.0 – Part C (.pdf)

Quick Reference Guide – Falls and Major Injury (.pdf)

Quick Reference Guide – Unplanned Weight Loss (.pdf)

Quick Reference Guide – Pressure Injuries (.pdf)

Quick Reference Guide – Physical Restraint (.pdf)

Quick Reference Guide – Medication Management – Polypharmacy (.pdf)

Quick Reference Guide – Medication Management – Antipsychotics (.pdf)

QI Program file upload template (.xlsx)

Phase 2 of the Improved Payment Arrangements (IPA) will start from 1 September 2021. This means home care providers will receive funding based on the actual services delivered to their care recipients.

To get ready for IPA Phase 2 you should:

• make sure your claims are up to date with Services Australia:
• submit claims in sequential order (e.g. you must submit a claim for January before you claim for February)
• only one claim can be finalised per day
• submit $0 claims for those months you haven’t provided care to any care recipients
• reconcile the Commonwealth unspent amount for departed care recipients, and continue to report this to Services Australia
• make sure your systems and processes are in place to track and report the value of care and services delivered for each care recipient
• reconcile the Commonwealth portion of unspent funds you are currently holding for each care recipient as at 31 August 2021.

Read more:

Are you ready for Improved Payment Arrangements?

Improved payment arrangements for home care

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

Read more:

Ninth Report on the Funding and Financing of the Aged Care Industry – July 2021 (.docx)

COVID-19 vaccination – Scope of VAS Provider in-reach and static clinics (.pdf)

Disability Support for Older Australians Program manual (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Practice incentive payment – in-reach residential aged care and disability support worker COVID-19 vaccination (.pdf)

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

Discontinuation of the ACAR – What’s next? (.pdf)

2020 ACAR results: Short-term restorative care (STRC) (.pdf)

2020 ACAR results: Residential aged care places and capital grants (.pdf)

2020 ACAR: Feedback for applicants (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Find out the facts about COVID-19 vaccinations (.pdf)

COVID-19 – changes to Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) flexibility provisions (.pdf)

COVID-19 – emergency funding for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers (.pdf)

Services Australia is hosting three online workshops to support home care providers get ready for the Improved Payment Arrangements (IPA) measure.

• Payment Statement workshop: Friday 6 August, 9:30 – 11:00am
• Bulk file import workshop: Friday 13 August, 2:00 – 3:30pm
• Aged Care Provider Portal wireframes workshop: Thursday 19 August, 12:00 – 1:00pm

Read more:

Register for Improved Payment Arrangements online workshops

Register:

Online workshops through Eventbrite at the following links:

• Payment Statement
• Bulk file import
• ACPP wireframes

This newsletter provides important information on matters affecting the aged care sector, including aged care initiatives, programs and processes.

In this issue:

• Get involved in Aged Care Transition to Practice

Residential Care:

• Veterans in residential aged care – accessing aids and equipment

Home Care:

• New national provider of Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology under the CHSP
• CHSP 2022–23 Extension Working Group

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2021/14 (.pdf)

Senior Australians affected by ongoing lockdowns can access vital support services to ensure they stay socially connected and maintain their health.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said it was important older Australians and their families – particularly those living across hardest-hit local government areas in New South Wales and South East Queensland – understood what was available.

“Challenges remain for senior and vulnerable Australians as we continue to navigate the impact of the pandemic, particularly the effect of the Delta strain,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Staying connected and healthy has never been more important.

“Aged care services remain open and available to those who need them, especially for isolated Australians.”

The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line (1800 171 866) is an important first step for any older Australians who need support or assistance.

Read more:

Support for senior Australians as COVID-19 restrictions continue

Australians living in aged care are among those most vulnerable to becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19. Stopping this virus from spreading into aged care facilities is our top priority. Testing gives health authorities the chance to find people with COVID-19 who are working in aged care, before they appear unwell. This will help health authorities identify where community transmission is occurring, before there are COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Australian Government, in consultation with Queensland Health, is supporting asymptomatic testing of staff in residential aged care facilities in Greater Brisbane and Sunshine Coast regions. Residential aged care services in these areas will be contacted to be offered in-reach testing for aged care workers. Services in hotspot locations will be prioritised. Please see the fact sheet for further information.

Read more:

COVID Testing of asymptomatic residential aged care workers in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas
• QLD Health – Lockdown extension
• Victoria – Restrictions on visitors to RACFs
• Victoria – VACRC Prevention – Outbreak Plan Improvement
• SA Vaccination clinics for RACF staff
• ACT CHO update

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update – 3 August 2021

In the current context of the elevated number of COVID-19 positive cases in NSW and the lockdown arrangements introduced by the NSW Government, the Commission has temporarily paused its full program of site-based re-accreditation audits in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area (lockdown area).

This pause in our programmed work is informed by the latest expert advice regarding COVID-19 preventative measures and is aimed at minimising infection risks to aged care consumers and staff of aged care services.

Read more:

Advice to sector – Regulatory response to NSW aged care services in lockdown areas (3 August 2021) (.pdf)