Aged care news highlights from the week ending 11 March 2022, aggregated by CompliSpace.
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 CompliSpace.
Coronavirus/COVID-19 News
Ensuring safe visitor access to residential aged care - statement from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)
According to The Department of Health, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has outlined their position on provider responsibilities relating to visitor access in a new fact sheet: Ensuring safe visitor access to residential aged care.
Essential visitors include:
- Partner in care – a person who has a close and continuing relationship with the care recipient and provides aspects of regular routine care and companionship
- Named visitor – if a resident does not have a partner in care, they may nominate one person to be a named visitor
- Visitor at end of life – visits to residents at or approaching the end of life should be facilitated for anyone and not be time limited.
The Commission may take regulatory action where access for essential visitors is not adequately supported.
Applications closing soon: Business Improvement Fund Round 2
According to the Department of Health, applications for the Business Improvement Fund Round 2 close at 2pm AEDT on 30 March 2022. The Business Improvement Fund provides financial assistance to eligible residential aged care providers experiencing financial challenges. For more information and to submit your application form, refer to Grant Opportunity GO5325, visit the GrantConnect website.
COVID-19 antiviral oral treatment added to PBS
According to the Department of Health, Lagevrio®, one of the first oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19, has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and is now available for eligible residents and patients through community pharmacies, with a prescription. Find out more about the Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) PBS listing, and other COVID-19 oral treatments.
Webinar COVID-19 Provider Support Portal - recording now available
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)
According to The Department of Health, residential aged care services now report a resident, worker or visitor COVID-19 case at their service via a new, online COVID-19 Support Portal accessed through the My Aged Care provider portal. The Department hosted a webinar to guide users through the new reporting process, including how to use the portal and the benefits of moving to a real time, streamlined system. The recording of the webinar is now available: Reporting COVID-19 in residential aged care.
Aged Care in the post Omicron world - Webinar Series
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)
According to The Department of Health, Leading Aged Care Services Australia (LASA) and the Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) along with representatives from the Department of Health are hosting a series of free webinars to assist providers navigate the changed environment of high rates of vaccination, the impact of the Omicron variant and higher levels of community transmission. The first in the series was held last Friday and you can watch the recording of the webinar, highlighting how the introduction of vaccination, the availability of anti-virals and the experiences through the most recent Omicron wave, have seen the parameters for visitation in residential aged care adjusted considerably.
Upcoming Webinars:
- A Risk Based Approach of COVID - Wednesday 16 arch 2:00pm AEDT
- Anitvirals: A new point of difference - Friday 18 March 12:00pm AEDT
Register for free online to attend any of these upcoming webinars: www.lasa.asn.au/events.
NSW Health - updated protocol
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)
According to The Department of Health, the NSW Department of Health advises that the following NSW Health COVID-19 outbreak management documents have been updated:
The Joint Protocol has been updated to reflect the national definitions of an outbreak and exposure as per the CDNA National Guidelines. The Public Health Actions document has been developed to guide facilities on key actions to take following a COVID-19 exposure or outbreak. Further information is available on the NSW Health outbreak management webpage.
Emergency PPE deployment to Western Australian residential aged care facilities
According to the Department of Health, Western Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) should remain alert and prepared for a potential outbreak of COVID-19. To assist facilities with their preparedness and in recognition of increasing levels of COVID-19 across the state, the Australian Government is deploying emergency personal protective equipment (PPE) packs to RACFs. Distribution of the PPE packs is expected to commence in the coming days. It is recommended that RACFs plan ahead to ensure that they are able to receive and store the quantities listed above. If you have any concerns with the deliveries or you do not receive your pack by 31 March 2022 please email: wa.covidsupport@health.gov.au.
Other News
Reminder - Aged Care Emergency and Crisis Management Training Program extended to 30 June 2022
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)
According to The Department of Health, providers are reminded that availability of the online training modules delivered as part of the Aged Care Emergency and Crisis Management Training Program 2021, has been extended until 30 June 2022. The training retains particular relevance in the context of preparing for and responding to a range of current issues impacting the sector, including:
- major flooding events across Queensland and New South Wales
- ongoing Omicron COVID-19 outbreaks
- the upcoming 2022 influenza season.
The self-paced online modules are available now and are completely free for participants, with over 1,381 registrations to date - register here.
Antipsychotic use not budging, may be higher
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the latest quality indicator report in residential aged care indicates there has been no significant change in antipsychotic use since a national prevalence study was conducted seven years ago.
2022 influenza control: virologist recommends four actions
According to Hospital and Healthcare, with the lifting of border restrictions and quarantine regulations, Australians can anticipate the reintroduction of influenza, according to the authors of an editorial published by the Medical Journal of Australia.
Webinar: Register for the aged care funding reforms
According to the Department of Health: 18 March 2022 - 12:30pm to 2:00pm AEST | Webinar Get the latest information and ask questions on key aged care funding reform activities:
- Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC)
- Quarterly Reporting Requirements
- System for Payments of Aged Residential Care (SPARC) software replacement, changes to payment statements, and support for providers and software developers.
This webinar is for aged care executives including CEOs, CFOs, finance and account managers, quality and assurance managers and residential aged care facility managers. To register and learn more about the webinar visit the department’s website. If you have any questions or trouble accessing the webinar please contact communication.agedcare@health.gov.au
AN-ACC – Shadow Assessments during COVID-19
According to the Department of Health, the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) will apply to all permanent aged care residents when it replaces the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) on 1 October 2022.
More information: AN‑ACC is part of reforms to aged care in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. A fact sheet has been developed to assist providers understand what they need to do during the shadow assessment period. Visit our Residential Aged Care Funding Reform webpage for more information on AN‑ACC.
Legislation
Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (No. 36 of 2020) [WA] – commences 31 March 2022
The purpose of this Act is to make provision about, and in connection with - the health and safety of workers; and health and safety at workplaces; and risks to health and safety arising from work; and dangerous goods and high risk plant; and to make consequential and related amendments to, and repeals of, various written laws; and for related purposes.
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