News

In this edition:

• Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas
• SA Health – restrictions
• NSW Health updated RACF visitor restrictions

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Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update – 21 July 2021

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

Single site workforce arrangements and funding support for Adelaide in South Australia.

Given the current number of COVID-19 cases in Adelaide and following the declaration of a COVID-19 hotspot by the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly to include the Metropolitan Adelaide area, workers at residential aged care facilities in impacted areas are asked to limit their work to a single facility to reduce the risk of transmission and protect workers and residents.

Australian Government grant funding is now available to support implementation of these arrangements in the Metropolitan Adelaide area during an initial two week period, from 20 July to 3 August 2021 .

Read more:

Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas in South Australia

In this edition:

• COVID-19 vaccines – Is it true?
• New COVID-19 vaccination reporting requirements
• NSW Health – use of P2/N95 respirators and surgical face masks
• Victoria – Visitor restrictions for RACFs
• Queensland CHO Update
• ACT Health update
• In the event of an outbreak
• Who to notify if you have a confirmed case
• PPE
• Support for senior Australians

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update – 16 July 2021

In this edition:

• NSW Health – Public Health Order
• QLD CHO Update
• State and territory aged care COVID-19 information

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Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update – 14 July 2021

The Commission hosted a webinar on 13 July 2021 to discuss the changes to legislation surrounding restrictive practices in aged care.

Watch:

Restrictive practices webinar – 13 July 2021

The Australian Government has introduced new COVID-19 vaccination reporting requirements for residential and in-home aged care providers.

The expanded reporting is necessary to identify the potential level of risk each aged care service faces in the context of a COVID-19 outbreak in residential, in-home and community settings. It will inform how those services, residents and workers can best be supported.

While the new reporting requirements start on 27 July 2021, all providers are encouraged to start reporting voluntarily now.

Details of the reporting requirements on COVID-19 vaccination for aged care providers is available on the Department’s website – Reporting requirements on the COVID-19 vaccination status of aged care workforce.

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COVID-19 Vaccination reporting requirements extended for residential and home care providers

Reporting requirements on the COVID-19 vaccination status of aged care workforce

The department is seeking feedback on a Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) for in-home aged care services.

This consultation will assist the development of specific design elements to expand the SIRS to home services from 1 July 2022.

Submissions are now open on the department’s Consultation Hub. Feedback on the consultation paper should be submitted by 9 August 2021.

Read more:

Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) – consultation to inform expansion to home care services

Serious Incident Response Scheme for in-home aged care services

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

In this issue:

• New My Aged Care Welcome Pack
• Updates to the My Aged Care website – June 2021
• Aged care reform webinars in July focus on diversity and dementia
• New resource to support Forgotten Australians/Care Leavers
• 2022 Australian of the Year Award nominations
• Services Australia is upgrading its digital health and aged care channels

Residential Care:

• Collect five new Quality Indicators from 1 July 2021
• New legislation on use of restrictive practices

Home Care:

• Forecast Grant Opportunity – Home Care Workforce Support Program
• Home Care Packages Program Data Report 3rd Quarter 2020-21

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2021/12 (.pdf)

The Morrison Government is partnering with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) for an online learning package aimed at helping aged care providers and health professionals prevent, identify, and respond to sexual abuse.

Funded via a $168,000 grant from the Australian Government, OPAN is working with leading researcher Dr Catherine Barrett to develop Abuse of the older person: eLearning program for health professionals.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was an important contribution to reinforce the safety of those we care for most.

“Assaults on the elderly – in any form – are deplorable,” Minister Colbeck said.

“These incidents were underlined in the findings of the Royal Commission into Age Care Quality and Safety and the Morrison Government is more determined than ever to ensure those in care are treated with respect and dignity.”

Read more:

Online learning to help keep senior Australians safe from sexual abuse

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Is your outbreak communication plan up to date?
• SIRS insights – valuable provider roundtable feedback and first Commission report
• New SIRS modules now available in Alis
• Amendments to restrictive practices legislation
• Guidance materials available for upcoming Quality Indicator Program changes
• Updates from the Chief Clinical Advisor
• Recent aged care and NDIS worker screening requirements changes
• New online education workshops now open for registrations
• New and updated Commission resources

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #30 – June 2021