In this edition:
• Commissioner message
• Getting to know the Standards – Standard 4, Services and support for daily living
• ‘From the Chief Clinical Advisor’
• Preparing for performance assessment
• Accountabilities webinar video now available
Read more:
The 2018-19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 is now available from the GEN Aged Care Data website.
The report details the operation of Australia’s aged care system during the 2018–19 financial year and provides a snapshot of the system as a whole. It is delivered to Parliament each year by the Minister in accordance with section 63-2 of the Aged Care Act 1997.
Read more:
2018-19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997
2018–19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 (.pdf)
Infographics – Key facts from 2018–19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 (.pdf)
Infographics – Summary of 2018–19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 (.pdf)
The Chief Medical Officer has written to approximately 28,000 practitioners about new resources for prescribers to support care of people with dementia who live in residential aged care.
The resources and information has been developed to help practitioners who:
• have prescribed an antipsychotic or benzodiazepine to a patient living in residential aged care
• are working in an aged care setting
These include:
• general practitioners
• specialists
• nurse practitioners
• other medical practitioners
Read more:
New resources on psychotropic prescribing in residential aged care
Prescribing of psychotropics in residential aged care
Information and resources for nurses and personal care workers
Published by: Anita Courtney, Victor Harcourt, Dr Melanie Tan, Riaza Rigby
Following the commencement of the new restraint rules (found in Part 4A of the Quality of Care Principles) in July 2019, aged care providers have been waiting for the outcome of the Standing Committee’s review of the rules.
On 26 November 2019, amendments to the rules were incorporated into the Principles by the Quality of Care Amendment (Reviewing Restraints Principles) Principles 2019.
What does the review mean for aged care providers?
Following the conclusion of the Joint Committee’s report and a Senate disallowance process, the government has resolved to keep Part 4A in place but to make a handful of amendments to clarify that they do not override the principles that otherwise apply. In particular:
• The rules do not override the principle that the prescribers of chemical restraint (be they medical practitioners or nurse practitioners) must obtain informed consent before prescribing; and
• Reference should be made to the relevant state/territory laws about who can make medical decisions or provide informed consent when a consumer can’t provide consent themselves. In other words, this makes it clear that the normal principles as to who can provide consent for the use of restraint applies. A provider cannot therefore rely on an informal representative (whether family or otherwise) to authorise restraint on an ongoing basis.
Read more:
Further changes to restraint rules in aged care: Clarity on the responsibilities of providers
In this issue:
• Operational hours over the holiday period
• Reminder to participate in consultation – National Framework for Action on Dementia 2015 – 2019
• New aged care assessment arrangements webinar
Home Care:
• Home Care Provider Survey
Residential Care:
• National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator (QI) Program – data due by 21 January 2020
Read more:
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is inviting submissions from interested individuals and organisations on the future design of the aged care system.
The Royal Commissioners, the Honourable Tony Pagone QC and Ms Lynelle Briggs AO, have today released a consultation paper that explores options for future design of aged care programs. The model set out in the paper is intended to support people to pursue and enjoy meaning and quality of life whether in their own home or a residential service.
In the paper, the Commissioners ask “how could we ensure that any redesign of the aged care system makes it simpler for older people to find and receive the care and supports that they need?”
Submissions are sought on key questions about the design of the aged care system. These submissions are an opportunity for interested individuals and organisations to help shape the future of aged care. The Royal Commissioners encourage people to download and read the paper, and respond to the design questions through a submission.
Read more:
This webinar will update you on the development and implementation of new aged care assessment arrangements. The new arrangements aim to streamline consumer assessment for access to aged care services.
The webinar will focus on:
• changes to the current assessment system
• benefits of the new arrangements for consumers
• implementation arrangements.
Wednesday 11 December 2019
• ACT, NSW, VIC & TAS – 2.00 pm to 3:30 pm (AEST)
• QLD – 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (AEST)
• SA – 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ACDT)
• NT – 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm (ACST)
• WA – 11:00 am to 12:30 pm (AWST)
Read more:
In this issue:
• Operational hours over the holiday period
• Advance payments for December 2019 and January 2020
• Government funded care must have a valid ACAT approval
Residential Care:
• Entering residential care in an emergency without an ACAT approval
• Minimising physical and chemical restraint in residential aged care
• National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator (QI) Program – second quarter data collection
Read more:
The Morrison Government today successfully secured the passage of the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (New Commissioner Functions) Bill 2019 which strengthens the independent oversight of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, from January 1 2020.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said the new laws bolster the Commission through additional regulatory functions and powers ensuring a safer and quality-assured sector.
From January 1, the Commissioner’s role will be expanded to include oversight of:
• approving all residential and home care providers;
• aged care compliance and enforcement actions; and
• the administration of the responsibilities of approved providers to report assaults.
“The Government has delivered on its commitment to strengthen independent oversight across the aged care sector,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Expanding the role of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission gives older Australians and their families a single point of contact and a reassurance their concerns will be responded to.
“The Commissioner will now have the ability to approve providers’ entry into aged care, stronger powers to monitor quality of the care and broader responsibility to enforce provider compliance.
Read more:
Strengthening independent oversight of aged care
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (New Commissioner Functions) Bill 2019 (.pdf)
Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes Report (.pdf)
An individual with decision-making capacity can document their preferences for care, values and/or appoint a substitute decision maker by completing the relevant jurisdictional Advance Care Directive (ACD) form(s). An ACD is completed and signed by a competent adult, but only comes into effect when the person loses capacity to make medical decisions. All health professionals have obligations to access and implement ACDs that comply with legislation, common law or policy, and support quality palliative and end-of-life care.
The issue
Despite comprehensive legislation, policy, forms, resources and guidelines, there is limited awareness and uptake of advance care planning across Australia, health sectors, the workforce and consumers. Nationally, the uptake of advance care planning remains low with 75% of Australians aged 65+ having not completed an ACD. In residential aged care facilities, 62% of residents aged 65+ do not have an ACD completed by them in their health record.
There are issues with the accuracy, currency and validity of advance care directives, particularly within aged care.
Read more:
ACPA Position Statement: ACDs within community and residential aged care
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