Aged care news highlights from the week ending 16 March 2021, 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.

Aged Care Royal Commission 

Aged care visitor restrictions in Greater Brisbane

(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 Queensland government has announced a 72 hour lockdown for aged care facilities due to the recent locally transmitted COVID-19 case. Effective immediately, all non-essential visits to residential aged care facilities in Greater Brisbane are restricted.

Greater Brisbane includes:

• City of Brisbane
• City of Ipswich
• Logan City
• Moreton Bay Region
• Redland City

Despite these restrictions, persons may enter a restricted residential aged care facility if they are:

• an employee, contractor or student of the facility
• providing goods or services necessary for the facility’s operation
• providing health, medical, personal care or pharmaceutical services to a resident
• administering a COVID-19 vaccine to a resident
• visiting an end of life resident
• required for emergency management, law enforcement or to comply with an order of any court or tribunal of Australia
• a prospective resident or a support person of a prospective resident
• maintaining continuity of care for a resident that can’t be delivered by non-contact means – with permission of the facility’s operator.

Any person (other than a resident) permitted to enter a restricted facility must not enter, or remain on, the premises without wearing a single use surgical face mask. A person does not have to wear a mask if it will create a risk to their health or safety. Residents may only leave the facility to receive health care, attend a funeral or for an emergency or compassionate reason.

Providers are advised to continue to monitor the Queensland Health Website for further details and updates. The Aged Care Direction (no. 25) are also available online.

Vaccine rollout

Please note that these restrictions will not affect the rollout of vaccines to impacted facilities and teams will comply with Queensland government public health orders including wearing the required PPE to protect residents and staff while administering vaccines.

PPE

Aged care providers are asked to ensure they have a sufficient supply of PPE, to use their own supply of PPE first and to request extra supply as and when needed. If you urgently need PPE and cannot source it, please submit an online application. The application will need to be completed for your request to be considered. The Commonwealth is prioritising requests for PPE from the National Medical Stockpile to aged care services that are most in need.

Further information and advice

Please visit the Australian Government Department of Health website for information and resources to assist in preparing and managing a COVID-19 outbreak including what to do in the first 24 hours of an outbreak in a residential aged care facility.

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines

(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 facilities should begin discussing their plans for booking external influenza vaccination providers with their Primary Health Network (PHN) if the facility has not yet been contacted by the vaccine workforce provider, or the Vaccine Workforce Provider when they make contact to advise the provider of their scheduled date for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

The PHN / Vaccine Workforce Provider will discuss scheduling options with residential aged care facilities to ensure both vaccines can be safely administered. The recommended minimum interval between a dose of seasonal influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine is 14 days.

Read the advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on timing of administering Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

Update to consent form

(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 department’s consent form for COVID-19 vaccinations has been updated. It now captures the individual’s name and Medicare number on each page. RACFs are requested to ensure all future consent records use the updated form.

View the updated consent form.

COVID-19 vaccine schedule for residential aged care workforce

(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 workers are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1a of the national rollout. While residents continue to be the current focus, information will be made available shortly about when and how staff can receive the vaccine.

Some staff may receive the vaccine if excess doses are available after all consenting residents have been vaccinated. Information will be made available on the department’s website.

Update to excess dose use policy

(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 department has updated its policy on excess dose use for COVID-19 vaccines at residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Once residents have been vaccinated, vaccine workforce providers should allocate excess doses based on these prioritisation principles:

• Any respite residents who are able to provide consent on the day
• Vaccine workforce provider staff
• RACF staff
• Essential Care Persons including GPs and other allied health professionals who routinely provide care within an RACF
• Other regular visitors to facilities including: Aged Care advocates, Dementia Australia staff, Community Visitor Scheme visitors, AN-ACC assessors, Aged Care Quality Safety Commission Quality Assessors on site on the day
• Family members of residents on site on the day.

Read the excess dose use policy online.

Monitoring and reporting adverse events

(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, vaccine workforce provider in-reach teams are responsible for monitoring individuals for the first 15 minutes post-vaccination. Any adverse events must be reported as per the relevant jurisdiction’s reporting requirements and to the Vaccine Operations Centre.

Responsibility for adverse event monitoring and reporting will then transfer to the RACF.

Read the Guidance on common side effects, immediate reactions and reporting online.

Reminder: eligibility for phase 1b of the vaccine rollout

(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 COVID-19 vaccine rollout for Phase 1b is scheduled to begin on 22 March 2021. It will include people over 80, people over 70, those who are immunocompromised, Indigenous Australians over 55, and frontline emergency service and defence workers.

Read the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination program Phase 1B.

Update: cold chain responsibilities

(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 facilities are not permitted to accept COVID-19 vaccine deliveries. This is the responsibility of vaccine workforce providers, who assume responsibility for the vaccine from that point onwards.

Before that point, DHL is responsible for managing the storage of the vaccine, and consigning and dispatching orders and:

• ensures vaccines are stored in ultra-cold freezers, before getting packed into a validated packaging solution. This solution includes dry ice, to ensure it stays within the required temperature range while in transit. The Pfizer vaccine must be refrigerated below –70°C to remain effective.
• has back-to-base alarms and notification mechanisms in place to ensure that while the vaccine is under its care, it is controlled and maintained at the required temperature. This ensures products are constantly monitored through sophisticated temperature devices as they move through the distribution chain.

If there are concerns on the integrity of the vaccine on delivery, vaccine workforce providers are responsible for notifying DHL and the Vaccine Operations Centre immediately.

Vaccine rollout to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

(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 Department has developed a comprehensive vaccine implementation plan to ensure the COVID-19 Vaccination Program meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This plan has been developed in consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19, and with state and territory governments.

Keep up to date with trusted information

You can find more information, including translated information, and subscribe to receive the COVID-19 Vaccines Updates on our COVID-19 vaccines website.

Reminder: National Review of COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian RACFs - online survey closing soon

(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, an invitation to complete the above survey was included in an announcement sent on 2 March 2021. The survey will be closing on Wednesday 17 March 2021. If you have already responded to the survey, thank you and please disregard this notice.

However, if you haven’t completed the survey, please do take the time to share your thoughts and experiences with the review. It only takes 10-15 minutes. Please click on the following link.

WA updated directions advice for aged care providers and visitors

(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, please be advised that Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions (Directions No 4) have been revoked and that Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions No 7 (Directions No 7) are now in effect.

Providers and their staff are encouraged to read the direction in full. The changes include a requirement for quarantine centre workers who attend residential aged care facilities to wear a face covering and to keep a distance of 1.5 metres from any other person while on the premises of a residential aged care facility.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.

Resources and Upcoming Events

Aged Care Royal Commission: What's in it for you – webinar 16 March 2021, 11.3am-12.30pm AEDT

According to OPAN, join us for our free webinar, Aged Care Royal Commission - What's in it for you, on Tuesday, 16 March at 11:30 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time, to talk through the Royal Commission's recommendations and what they could mean for you. It will include a live Q&A and we will cover:

• The Royal Commission process and what happens next
• Recommendations to transform aged care
• How this could affect your care

10^th Annual Australian Healthcare Week - 17th - 18th of March 2021 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.

According to IPC Events, don’t miss your chance to be part of Australia’s largest healthcare event and join the Australian Healthcare community for two days of extensive networking and learning and development opportunities.

Please note, Australian Healthcare Week will operate in accordance with our COVID-Safety Plan and in line with the guidance of NSW Health and the International Convention Centre (ICC), Sydney.

Governance in Aged Care: Beyond the Royal Commission – 2-day digital conference, 14 and 15 April 2021

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, with the imminent release of the Royal Commission into Quality and Safety in Aged Care, providers are at a critical turning point. Now is the time to carve out a new way forward to better support older Australians and their families, while ensuring a strong and sustainable industry.

Designed in partnership with COTA and ACSA, the Governance in Aged Care: Beyond the Royal Commission conference brings together experts, advocates and leaders from across Australia to unpack the Final Report and tackle the biggest issues for effective governance. The conference is taking place online, on 14th & 15th April 2021.

Webinar series: Changes to regulatory arrangements for residential aged care providers supporting NDIS participants from 1 December 2020

According to the Department of Health, Residential Aged Care (RAC) providers supporting National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants will need to be registered* with the NDIS Commission from 1 December 2020. This also applies to RAC providers who start supporting NDIS participants after 1 December 2020. *Note that registration will be automatic for RAC providers with NDIS participants as at 1 December 2020.

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) is currently delivering a series of webinars to help RAC providers with the transition and to understand their responsibilities.

Flu vaccination poster

The Department of Health has issued this Flu Vaccination Poster. Residential aged care facilities may wish to display the attached poster at entrances, to alert anyone entering the facility of the flu vaccination requirements that came into effect on 1 May 2020.

Older Person’s COVID-19 Support Line

According to The Department of Health, a new Older Person’s COVID-19 Support Line has been set up to provide information, support and check on older Australians during the period of social distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COTA Australia, National Seniors, Dementia Australia and the Older Person’s Advocacy Network have banded together to deliver this service with support from the Australian Government.

Senior Australians, their families and carers can freecall 1800 171 866 if they:

• would like to talk with someone about what COVID-19 means for them or a loved one
• are feeling lonely or distressed
• are caring for a someone and need some information or a listening ear about what COVID-19 means for your circumstances
• are worried about COVID-19 means for their usual aged care service
• are worried about a friend or family member living with dementia.
• are unable to access information on the internet and would like up-to-date advice.

Home care services providers can also use the number and dial option 1 to refer home care clients who would like a call from an independent organisation to check on their wellbeing.

The service will include outbound and inbound calls to provide contact, reassurance and practical advice on connecting to services to maximise social engagement and wellbeing whilst at home.

Resources on diverse population groups are now available for aged care staff

According to The Department of Health, The End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) website helps you to care for older Australians at the end of life. Our new diversity resources can help health workers and aged care staff to care for:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Care leavers
• Carers
• Culturally and linguistically diverse people
• Financially or socially disadvantaged people
• People experiencing homelessness
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
• People living in rural and remote areas
• People with spirituality and faith beliefs
• Veterans

How people think about death, dying and end of life is different for each person. Learning about these differences can help you to provide good palliative care. Access these resources on the Diverse Population Groups page of the ELDAC website.

What Matters Most – New person centred care resources

According to The Department of Health, Palliative Care Australia, through a Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund grant, has launched a suite of resources to encourage early conversations about What Matters Most to older people, their care and their end of life preferences.

6 steps for safe prescribing antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care

Issued by the Department of Health, this infographic outlines the 6 steps for safe prescribing antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care.

Aged care video alert: Dignity of risk

According to Lexology, the concept of dignity of risk is not entirely new, however it now has a position of prominence in aged care with the Aged Care Quality Standards. In this video update, senior associate Dr Melanie Tan explains:

• What does dignity of risk mean?
• Where and when does dignity of risk apply?
• What is the duty of care within dignity of risk?