Aged care news highlights from the week ending 13 October 2023, aggregated by Ideagen.

The information in the Weekly Wrap is aggregated from other news sources to provide you with news that is relevant to the aged care sector across Australia and worldwide. Each paragraph is a summary of the subject matter covered in the particular news article. The information does not necessarily reflect the views of Ideagen.

COVID-19 News 

Thousands test positive for respiratory virus as spike reported in multiple states

According to Aged Care Insite, an infectious disease expert has confirmed that a viral respiratory illness is surging in multiple states. NSW residents are coming forward with symptoms of the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) at an alarming rate, a new report has found. Infectious diseases physician and microbiologist Dr Paul Griffin said he is seeing a similar surge in cases in Queensland.

Other News

Care minutes targets are now mandatory

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, Care minutes targets for residential aged care homes became mandatory on 1 October 2023. Targets for the October – December 2023 quarter are based on residents that were in care from June to August 2023. Care minutes targets will be updated quarterly. Providers can see their service-level care minutes targets in the My Aged Care service and support portal. A list of service-level care minutes targets is also available on the department’s website. For the latest information see:

• Care minutes information hub
• How mandatory care minutes will be regulated (Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website).

24/7 registered nurse reporting for September 2023 due now

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, 24/7 registered nurse (RN) reporting for the month of September is due through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) by Saturday 7 October 2023.

Providers that fail to report:

• may be referred to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
• will not receive any 24/7 RN supplement for September (if eligible)
• will be recorded as not having completed their 24/7 RN reporting responsibility in the report published on our website.

24/7 RN coverage reported in August:

• Registered nurse coverage in residential aged care dashboard
• Registered nurse coverage in residential aged care facilities

For reporting extensions, email anaccoperations@health.gov.au. These will only be granted under exceptional circumstances, such as major IT system issues or a situation of emergency.

Aged care reporting due soon

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, a series of reports on aged care provider operations and finances are due over the next month. 

Due 31 October 2023

Provider Operations: Residential and home care providers must submit Provider Operations information through the Collection Form on the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).

Financial Reporting: Approved providers must submit an Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR) through Forms Administration. Non-government providers must also submit an audited General Purpose Financial Statement (GPFS). An Annual Prudential Compliance Statement (APCS) and audit option is required if, at any point during the reported financial year, a provider held:

• refundable deposits
• accommodation bonds
• entry contributions.

Due 4 November 2023

Quarterly Financial Report: Quarter 1 2023-24 reports are due through Forms Administration.

Prepare for Aged Care Governance Reform: “Statement of Compliance” ahead

According to Lexology, the Aged Care Royal Commission (ACRC) found significant failures in approved providers’ governance systems, including a lack of oversight from the governing body and as a result a suite of new requirements have been rolled out targeting these issues. One of these new obligations is the requirement to provide a Statement of Compliance on behalf of the governing body. This statement is due no later than four months after the reporting period (ie. 31 October 2023).

Workforce shortage critical to addressing ageing population

When discussing the future of Australia’s health and aged care sectors, acknowledging workforce challenges is crucial, a better-ageing advocate has told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Workforce pressures worsen, says CEDA

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, many aged care homes are operating under capacity – some as low as 50 per cent – due to worker shortages aggravated by government reforms, according to a new report.

Services must reflect what ‘people tell us they need’

Codesigned, evidence-based and integrated services are the key to using technology and innovative care models to improve the independence of older people living at home, an aged care executive has told Community Care Review.

Free diversity program for aged care providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, we are funding a program delivered by the Older Persons’ Advocacy Network (OPAN) to help aged care providers identify diverse communities who are not accessing aged care services and provide practical assistance to meet their needs. Participation will help providers identify strategies to deliver culturally safe, appropriate and inclusive care tailored to the needs of each older person. Workshops are currently rolling out across NSW. For more information and to register, visit the OPAN website.

Staff training needed to shift ageist attitudes

The aged care workforce should receive training to help them avoid using ageist language, an expert has told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Home Care News

Updated Home Care Package pricing report now available

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the National Summary of Home Care Package Prices – 30 June 2023 is now available. The report outlines Home Care Packages Program pricing data for common home care services, care management, package management and staff travel. At 30 June 2023, the median nursing price was $109 per standard hour, while light gardening, in-home respite, personal care, and cleaning/household tasks ranged from $62 to $66 per standard hour. The Home Care Package – Published Pricing Schedule – 30 June 2023, which shows the full pricing data entered into My Aged Care by providers, is also available on our website.

Legislation

Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 (No. 55 of 2023) [CTH] – commences 16 October 2023

The Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 (the IGAC Act), together with the Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023 (also introduced to the House of Representatives on 22 March 2023), supports the establishment of the new Inspector-General of Aged Care (the Inspector-General), which will provide independent oversight of the aged care system.

The establishment of the Inspector-General forms part of the Government's response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission), published on 1 March 2021. The Royal Commission identified a range of systemic issues within the aged care system, including inadequate funding, a lack of transparency, poor access to health care, an absence in system leadership and governance, and a need to restore trust in the Government’s stewardship in the aged care system.

In addition to establishing the Office of the Inspector-General and providing for the Inspector-General's functions, which are to monitor, investigate and report to the Minister and Parliament on the Commonwealth's administration and regulation of the aged care system, the IGAC Act will:

- provide the Inspector-General with coercive information gathering powers to support its functions, including powers to compel a person to produce information or documents or to answer questions, and for the Inspector-General or its staff to access premises;

- establish secrecy provisions which provide that it is an offence for the Inspector-General and certain other persons to use and disclose 'protected information', unless that information is used or disclosed for an authorised purpose;

- establishes a criminal offence and civil penalty regime to provide a framework of deterrence for certain conduct or omissions which might prevent, hinder or are contrary to the Inspector-General's exercise of functions or powers.

Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 (No. 55 of 2023) [CTH] – commences 16 October 2023

The Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023 (the Act) supports the establishment of the new Inspector-General of Aged Care (the Inspector-General) by the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 (which was also introduced to the House of Representatives on 22 March 2023).

The proposed establishment of the Inspector-General forms part of the Government's response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission), published on 1 March 2021. The Royal Commission identified a range of systemic issues within the aged care system, including inadequate funding, a lack of transparency, poor access to health care, an absence in system leadership and governance, and a need to restore trust in the Government’s stewardship in the aged care system.

The Act will:

- amend the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 to prescribe the Inspector-General as a 'Commonwealth integrity agency'; and

- provide for application, saving and transitional provisions to support the transition from the non-statutory interim Inspector-General of Aged Care to the Inspector-General.

Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023 (No. 56 of 2023) [CTH] – commences 16 October 2023

The Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023 (the Act) supports the establishment of the new Inspector-General of Aged Care (the Inspector-General) by the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 (which was also introduced to the House of Representatives on 22 March 2023).

The proposed establishment of the Inspector-General forms part of the Government's response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission), published on 1 March 2021. The Royal Commission identified a range of systemic issues within the aged care system, including inadequate funding, a lack of transparency, poor access to health care, an absence in system leadership and governance, and a need to restore trust in the Government’s stewardship in the aged care system.

The Act will:

- amend the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 to prescribe the Inspector-General as a 'Commonwealth integrity agency'; and

- provide for application, saving and transitional provisions to support the transition from the non-statutory interim Inspector-General of Aged Care to the Inspector-General.

Inspector-General of Aged Care Regulations 2023 – commences 16 October 2023

This instrument provides for the remuneration and allowances of the Inspector-General of Aged Care and prescribes documents and information that must accompany a request for protection of disclosure.

Advance Care Directives (Review) Amendment Bill 2022 (No. 34 of 2022) [SA] – second reading in Council 28 September 2023

This bill seeks to amend the Advance Care Directives Act to improve the functioning of the advance care directive legislation in South Australia.

Guardianship and Administration Amendment Act 2023 (No. 21 of 2023) [TAS] – assented to on 29 September 2023; commences on a day to be proclaimed

The Guardianship and Administration Amendment Act 2023 (the Act) gives effect to a second tranche of recommendations from the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute’s Review of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 Final Report released in December 2018, and to the legislative recommendations of the Independent Review of the Public Trustee conducted by Damian Bugg AM KC in 2021.