News

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The latest update to Star Ratings will not be published on the My Aged Care website on 31 July as previously announced.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

News about the reforms:

• New Aged care reform: guide for providers booklet available
• Financial and Prudential reforms: an update from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner

Sector news:

• Consultation: Pricing Framework for Australian Residential Aged Care Services 2024–25
• Governing for Reform in Aged Care: platinum learners’ recommendations
• Webinar recording: greater transparency about aged care providers and services – new reporting requirements
• Commission webinar: cyber security in aged care
• Webinar series: hiring outside the box

For residential care providers:

• Reminder: Quality indicator reporting due 21 July
• Star Ratings: Provider preview now available
• Star Ratings: Residents’ Experience rating now updating quarterly
• OPAN #readytolisten

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #27 (.pdf)

Updated Schedules

Updated Schedules for residential and home care will apply from 1 July 2023.

View the updated Schedules of fees and charges for care recipients who started care:

• on or after 1 July 2014
• before 1 July 2014.

Quarterly review

Services Australia’s quarterly review of residential and home care fees will take effect from 1 July 2023, updating care recipients’ fees to align with any changes in their financial circumstances.

The quarterly review for residential and home care will take place on 15 July 2023.

Read more:

July 2023 indexation: Updated Schedules, quarterly review and change to Maximum Permissible Interest Rate

The Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Aged Care, Professor Paul Kelly together with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson, have issued a joint letter to aged care providers on the importance of the 2023 COVID-19 booster dose.

With just over half of eligible aged care residents having received a booster dose, they are seeking your support in ensuring all eligible aged care residents receive a booster dose and continue to protect residents from serious illness or hospitalisation from COVID-19.

Read more:

Letter to aged care providers on COVID-19 booster dose vaccination (.pdf)

From July 2023, the Building Legislation Amendment (Building Classes) Regulation 2023 (Regulation) commenced in response to the NSW Government addressing safety in construction.

The Regulation has amended:

• the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (DBP)
• the Residential Apartment Building (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 (RAB)

The Regulation also extends the classes prescribed under the definition of building work to building work involved with; or involved in, co-ordinating or supervising work in the construction of a class 3 or 9c building.

Read more:

Revised Building Regulations are now effective for Aged Care and Accommodation Related Properties