Aged care news highlights from the week ending 13 January 2023, 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.

COVID-19 News 

Reporting of aged care residents and aged care staff influenza vaccinations by end of January 2023

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care 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 and Aged Care, each aged care service is required to report annually on the number of residential aged care residents, and aged care staff who received an influenza vaccination. All services are strongly encouraged to submit their reports (as at 31 October 2022) via the online form prior to the end of January 2023. Note this form will not be available from February 2023.

The Commission's infection prevention and control oversight

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care 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 and Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) has been given additional funding to expand and enhance existing IPC oversight across its regulatory functions. This will include expanding the infection control monitoring (ICM) spot check program of on-site visits to residential aged care services to observe and provide feedback on IPC practices. For more information and resources for aged care providers, visit the Commission's website.

COVID-19 Supports for Aged Care in 2023

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care 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 and Aged Care, the Australian Government continues to support the aged care sector through COVID-19 in 2023. Even if you do not have a case manager assigned to you during an outbreak, there are support pathways available that include:

• access to the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) – for personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid antigen test kits (RATs) until 31 December 2023
• COVID-19 pathology in-reach PCR testing through SONIC until 30 April 2023
• COVID-19 in-reach vaccination clinics for residents until 31 December 2023
• COVID-19 antiviral treatments through community pharmacy and the PBS on an ongoing basis
• surge workforce until 31 December 2023
• COVID-19 support grant until 31 December 2023
• COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant (GO4863) – extension to closing date for applications
• access to the high-risk setting pandemic payment.

Other News

Report shows sector has plunged deeper into financial loss

According to HelloCare, the latest StewartBrown Aged Care Financial Performance Survey Sector Report has found the majority of Australia’s aged care facilities were still running at a loss at the tail end of last year – pointing to staffing shortages, increased levels of overtime and agency staff requirements as the main problems behind this financial crisis.

Free skills training for aged care staff

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care at La Trobe University has developed a suite of online training modules for frontline residential aged care workers. The self-paced multi-modal package has been designed to fill knowledge and education gaps identified by the aged care royal commission and other ACEBAC research in the residential aged care workforce in: dementia care, recognising and providing a palliative response to care, oral hygiene and links to health and wellbeing.

Home Care News

New home care program pushed back to July 24

According to Community Care Review, it is back to the drawing board for the new home care program and a 12-month delay in the start date to align with the royal commission recommendations, the government has announced. The new Support at Home Program was scheduled to start in July 2023, replacing the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. But many stakeholders have complained that the proposed program would put home care recipients at risk and was being rushed. The new government agrees and has pushed back the start date to 1 July 2024.

Home care faces existential threat, conference hears

According to Community Care Review, home care is under direct threat from the government’s proposed overhaul, which will see the current system replaced by a new Support at Home Category, an aged care sector conference has been told.

CHSP providers told to consider exiting home support sector

According to Community Care Review, CHSP providers have been told that for some, quitting the sector might be the best option if they find themselves struggling to survive under the new home care regime.

Six organisations funded $91m to drive home care workforce

According to Community Care Review, the federal government has provided funding to six organisations to help grow Australia’s home care workforce by 13,000 over the next two years. More than $91 million under the Home Care Workforce Support Program has been allocated to organisations in each state and territory.

Legislation

Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Act 2022 (No. 47 of 2022) [CTH] – reforms relating to capping of home care charges commenced 1 Jan 2023

The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Act 2022 amends the Aged Care Act 1997 (Aged Care Act) to implement a series of urgent measures that will give older Australians the dignity and respect they deserve. Most of the Act has already commenced. Reforms relating to capping of home care charges commenced 1 Jan 2023.

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Capping Home Care Charges) Principles 2022 [CTH] – commenced 1 January 2023

This instrument amends multiple instruments to support the implementation of changes made by the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Act 2022.

Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (No. 17 of 2021) [QLD] – commenced 1 January 2023

The objective of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 is to establish a legal framework for voluntary assisted dying in Queensland, allowing eligible people who are suffering and dying to choose the timing and circumstances of their death.