News

News about the reforms

• Reminder: Provider operations reports due by 31 October
• New standards for data collection and reporting
• Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk

Sector news

• Webinar series: Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
• Webinar: Delirium and trauma in older adults’ lives

Residential Aged Care News

• Stocktake on the design of residential aged care accommodation
• Residents’ Experience Survey: Have your say
• Consultation: Pricing framework for residential aged care services closing soon
• Webinar: Mandatory care minutes for residential aged care support
• COVID-19: PPE pack deployment

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update – #Issue 32, 2023 (.pdf)

News about the reforms

• Code of Conduct banning orders
• Shape the future of aged care for First Nations people

Sector news

• Rural and remote providers: management training
• Free translation service for aged care providers
• 2023 COVID-19: Aged Care Support Program grant
• COVID-19: Aged Care Worker Leave Payment grant
• Financial Report on the Australian Aged Care Sector 2021-22
• Consultation: pricing framework for residential aged care services closing soon
• Commission webinar: informed decision making for board members and leaders

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update – #Issue 31, 2023 (.pdf)

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to put nurses back into nursing homes.

Registered nurses are now on-site in aged care homes 98 per cent of the time as a result of the Albanese Government’s 24/7 nursing commitment.

This Government promised Australians we would restore dignity to aged care residents, and our first month with 24/7 nursing has revealed a major increase in care with registered nurses in residential homes for 23.5 hours a day on average.

After just 15 months in office, our reforms have led to continuous improvement, with Quality Indicators and Star Ratings also showing positive increases.

24/7 registered nursing was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – it was ignored by Peter Dutton and the Coalition.

24/7 nursing improves the safety and quality of care for residents and prevents unnecessary trips to hospital emergency departments.

95 per cent of facilities have now reported their first month of data regarding 24/7 nursing.

Read more:

Nurses are back in nursing homes

Australians now have a simple and efficient way to report food concerns in aged care, with the launch of a dedicated Food, Nutrition and Dining Unit hotline at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

The hotline is active and callers will have access to experts in the areas of food, nutrition, and dining, including dietitians and speech pathologists.

A good meal with good nutrition is crucial to quality of life for everyone but especially older people.

The Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline is also available to aged care providers to access food and nutrition advice, support and education to deliver improved food, nutrition and dining experiences for older people in their care.

Older people, their families and carers, providers and aged care workers can call the Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline on 1800 844 044.

Read more:

Hotline to report food quality in aged care now live

In this edition

• Editorial
• Case #1: I am fine
• Case #2: An old drug and a known complication
• Reflections of senior nurses
• Commentary: Views of a Diabetes Educator
• Commentary: The Contribution of Pharmacists to the Management of Diabetes in the Aged Care Setting
• List of Resources

Read more:

Residential Aged Care Communiqué Volume 18 Issue 3 August 2023 (.pdf)

News about the reforms:

• Upcoming consultation: Foundations of the new Aged Care Act
• Governing for Reform in Aged Care program – free coaching and group learning
• Watch the webinar: Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement

Sector news:

• Released: Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
• Quarterly Financial Report: due 4 August
• Survey: State of Volunteering for volunteer managers in Aged Care
• New Aged Care Industry Offer for software providers

For residential care providers:

• Star Ratings: Provider preview has resumed
• Reminder: 24/7 registered nurse responsibility reporting due 7 August
• Free food and nutrition training and education for aged care cooks and chefs

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #29 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Aged care reforms update
• Food, nutrition and dining
• Clinical update
• Webinars
• Governing for Reform
• Training and resources

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #55 – July 2023

News about the reforms:

• Results of the second Aged Care Sector Pulse Survey

Sector news:

• Grant recipients: improving respite care for people with dementia and their carers
• Reminder: renew staff access in the Aged Care Provider Portal
• Webinar: fighting Parkinson’s – what you need to know

For residential care providers:

• Residential care hotelling supplement
• 24/7 registered nurse supplement
• 24/7 registered nurse responsibility and reporting
• Reminder: Star Ratings provider preview ending soon
• Reminder: Australian Electoral Commission enrolment details for aged care residents

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #28 (.pdf)

The current Star Ratings provider preview period is being temporarily paused.

The latest update to Star Ratings will not be published on the My Aged Care website on 31 July as previously announced.

Residential aged care providers are not required to take any action at this time.

An issue has been identified affecting some Quality Measures ratings available for preview in the new Government Provider Management System.

Read more:

Star Ratings: July provider preview to be paused (.pdf)

Quality and safety in aged care is of utmost importance.

I welcome Mr David Tune’s independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The full report is now available on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.

In October last year, the Australian Government brought forward this review because it is critical that the Commission is fit-for-purpose and can uphold best practice care for older people.

Mr Tune’s report acknowledges the Commission has achieved a great deal, including in its implementation of new functions. But there remain gaps to overcome to ensure the Commission can successfully undertake its important role of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of older Australians.

I welcome the practical and constructive recommendations from Mr Tune, and will be carefully considering each of them as a matter of priority.

As a first step, I have directed the department to establish a senior level Steering Group (Recommendation 2.1) to advise Government on prioritisation and implementation of the recommendations.

Read more:

Release of the Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Final Report – Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (.pdf)