News

In this issue:

• National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator (QI) Program – public reporting of data
• CHSP ‘grandfathered client’ data upload period ends 11:59pm Friday 8 November 2019

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2019/17 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Commissioner message
• Getting to know the Standards – Standard 3, Personal care and clinical care
• Improvements in quality assessment methodology
• Diversity in action
• New video on Open Disclosure
• Understanding the Charter of Aged Care Rights
• Webinar on accountabilities of governing bodies in aged care
• Did you know?
• Accounting and Business Advisory Services now available

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #10, Oct 2019

A new educational video for service providers has been produced providing information about open disclosure for aged care providers.

The resource is a collaboration between the Commission and online training services provider, Altura Learning.

By watching this video, you will develop an understanding of:

• The principles or elements of open disclosure;
• When open disclosure should be used;
• How to implement open disclosure within your organisation; and
• Why open disclosure is important in aged care services.

Read more:

Open Disclosure – video

3 Hearings are currently upcoming:

Mudgee Hearing – Provision of aged care in regional areas

• Date: 4 – 6 November 2019
• Location: Windamere Room, Parklands Resort and Conference Centre, 121 Ulan Road, Mudgee NSW 2850
• Time: 9:30am local time

At this public hearing, the Royal Commission will inquire into the provision of aged care in regional and remote areas, with a focus on:

• the perspective and experience of people who access or are involved in aged care in regional and remote areas
• challenges associated with delivering aged care in regional and remote areas
• models for and approaches to delivering aged care in regional and remote areas, including Multi-Purpose Services.

Hobart Hearing – Aged care operations of selected Approved Providers

At this public hearing, the Royal Commission will inquire into the operations of Southern Cross Care (Tas) Inc, particularly at Glenara Lakes Apartments and Yaraandoo Hostel, and Bupa Aged Care Australia at Bupa South Hobart aged care facility.

• Date: 11 – 15 November 2019
• Location: Derwent Room, Wrest Point, 410 Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005
• Time: 9:30am local time

Canberra Hearing – Interfaces between the aged care and the health care system

The Canberra hearing will inquire into interfaces between the aged care system and the health care system, including both Commonwealth and state/territory programs.

It will examine whether older people, particularly those living in residential aged care facilities, are able to access the health services they need as they age.

• Date: 9 – 13 December 2019
• Location: The Vibe Hotel, Canberra, 1 Rogan St, Canberra ACT 2609
• Time: 9:30am local time

Read more:

Hearings

Under the terms and conditions of the CHSP grant agreement, providers must submit an annual CHSP Wellness and Reablement Report to the department.

Providers can complete the 2019 Wellness and Reablement Report via the Citizen Space Portal.

The link to the online reporting template will be sent to providers by mid-late November. If you have not received the link by 21 November 2019, please contact your Funding Arrangement Manager. You will have four weeks to complete the report.

Read more:

2019 Wellness and Reablement Report for CHSP providers

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report has been tabled in the Australian Parliament today and is now available to read on the website.

The Interim Report, entitled Neglect, covers much, but not all, of the work of Commissioners Richard Tracey AM, RFD, QC and Lynelle Briggs AO through to September 2019. It has found that the aged care system fails to meet the needs of our older citizens in the delivery of safe and quality care.

Read more:

Media Release (.pdf)

About the Interim Report (.pdf)

Foreword (.pdf)

Volume 1 – Information gathered and some conclusions (.pdf)

Volume 2 – Overview of public hearings (.pdf)

Volume 3 – Appendices and summaries of community forums (.pdf)

The Australian Government welcomes the Interim Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which has been tabled in the Australian Parliament today.

The Government will carefully consider the findings in the interim report – and continue to listen to the issues as they emerge through the course of this important inquiry.

The interim report and the Royal Commission’s hearings to date tell us some aged care providers are falling far short of delivering the safe, high-quality care expected by senior Australians and their loved ones.

We acknowledge that the Government also has work to do and will consider and act on the Royal Commission findings, whilst noting significant reforms are in progress.

The problems raised today in the Interim Report have challenged governments, industry and the community over many decades and require a coordinated response from all involved.

Read more:

Interim Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

The concept of dignity of risk is not entirely new, however it now has a position of prominence in aged care with the Aged Care Quality Standards.

In this video update, senior associate Dr Melanie Tan explains:

• What does dignity of risk mean?
• Where and when does dignity of risk apply?
• What is the duty of care within dignity of risk?

Read more:

Aged Care Video Alert: Dignity of Risk

Video

Message from DHS: Online claiming for aged care is changing.

Attached is a communique from the Department of Human Services.

Read more:

DHS Provider Communique: Online claiming for aged care is changing (.pdf)

The department has made updates to the material change form to make it clearer what information you need to provide when submitting a change, including in relation to third parties.

Approved providers are required to notify any change of circumstance that materially affects their suitability to be a provider of aged care within 28 days of the change occurring.

For example, if the approved provider:

• is unable to manage its financial responsibilities or goes into external administration
• makes substantial changes to its organisational or governance structure, such as entering into a brokerage arrangement for delivery of clinical care or using a management company
• has a change in key personnel, such as the departure of the Director of Nursing or executive management.

Read more:

Material change form update

Notification of a Material Change form (.pdf)