Aged care news highlights from the week ending 18 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
Mandated COVID-19 booster vaccination for aged care workers
(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, it is now mandatory for residential aged care workers in all states and territories to get a booster dose:
- ACT: from 28 March 2022, workers will need to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations
- NSW: by 12 April 2022 or six weeks from the due date of your booster dose
- NT: 11 March 2022 unless specific circumstances apply
- QLD: from 31 March 2022 all workers must be ‘up to date’ with their vaccinations
- SA: within four weeks of becoming eligible for a booster dose
- TAS: by 1 April 2022
- VIC: 12 March 2022
- WA: 5 February 2022 or within a month of becoming eligible for a booster dose.
Stay up to date at Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in aged care or via your state or territory health department website.
COVID-19 Portal PPE requests
(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, from 30 March 2022, approved providers will be able to request additional PPE in the event of an active COVID-19 outbreak, via the COVID-19 Support Portal. A user factsheet with step-by-step instructions on how to order, as well as FAQs, will be available shortly to support providers in the transition. The COVID-19 Support Portal is accessed through the My Aged Care Provider Portal.
Until 30 March 2022, you should continue to request emergency PPE supplies through the existing arrangements:
- Go to the RACF COVID-19 PPE and RAT support online form if you are a residential aged care facility (RACFs) with a current outbreak or exposure to request PPE or Rapid Antigen Tests.
- from the National Medical Stockpile by applying online through the Department Consultation Hub, if:
- you are a RACF who does not have a current outbreak or exposure, but are unable to source PPE
- you deliver in-home aged care services.
Winter Preparedness - additional funding announced
(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 Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, has announced an investment of a further $1.2 billion from the Australian Government to prepare and protect senior Australians against COVID-19 and influenza this winter. You can read Minister Colbeck's full statement with further details on the department's website.
COVID-19 Portal reporting - FAQs 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 providers are required to report COVID-19 cases through the COVID-19 Portal, which can be accessed via the My Aged Care Provider Portal. To assist providers through this process we have published answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to accompany the existing fact sheet and user guide.
If you are experiencing any issues with reporting through the portal, please call the My Aged Care Service Provider Helpline on 1800 836 799.
Other News
Trauma support is available online for the aged care sector after a disaster
(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, Phoenix Australia have developed a range of free, accessible and expert resources to help health professionals who are supporting people on the ground during the floods which are available at: Resources - Phoenix Australia Disaster Mental Health Hub. This is part of a wide range of resources available to support communities, first responders and health and community support practitioners during disasters at Phoenix Australia’s disaster mental health hub which is funded by the Department.
Phoenix Australia have also developed a wellbeing program for aged care employees, funded as part of the Government’s $12.4m Aged Care COVID-19 grief and trauma response package. Aged care workers can register for this free program.
Aged care workers and volunteers can also access a range of online trauma resources - Aged Care Workforce - Phoenix Australia, including factsheets and videos, to assist them in caring for people who have experienced trauma, as well as supporting their own wellbeing.
The Aged Care COVID-19 grief and trauma response package also funds the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) to provide free grief support for aged care recipients, their loved ones and those working and caring for people in the aged care sector. The ACGB’s resources and supports can be accessed on the Aged Care Grief and Bereavement Support website.
Aged Care Consumer Experience Interviews to be conducted soon
According to the Department of Health, Consumer Experience Interviews (CEIs) will be undertaken in residential aged care facilities from April 2022. The results of these CEIs will be published on the Star Ratings web page. To conduct the interviews, the department has engaged IQVIA in a consortium with Access Care Network Australia and HealthConsult, which has substantial experience in the aged care sector. IQVIA will be in touch with residential aged care providers to schedule interviews.
Find more information on the department’s website and keep an eye out for a webinar about these consumer experience interviews, coming soon.
Nominations now open: Re-Engaging Volunteers into Residential Aged Care Facilities Program
According to the Department of Health, the Government is investing $5 million to support the safe return and re-engagement of volunteers, making access to volunteers easier for providers. Volunteer training and onboarding will be undertaken by Volunteering Australia state and territory peak bodies. They will match volunteers who can provide a range of non-clinical social supports, including during an outbreak. More information is on the program webpage.
Interested RACFS are encouraged to nominate for volunteer placements. Volunteer work cannot replace or replicate that of paid workers.
March 2022 indexation: Updated Schedules, quarterly review and change to MPIR
According to the Department of Health, an update of the Schedules for residential and home care fees and charges and subsidies and supplements will take effect from 20 March 2022.
Updated Schedules
View the updated Schedule of fees and charges for:
View the updated Schedule of subsidies and supplements.
Quarterly Review
Services Australia’s quarterly review of residential care fees will also take effect from 20 March 2022. Care recipients and providers will receive letters letting them know if there is a change to a care recipient’s fees or if a refund may be due. Further information is available on the Services Australia website for Residential Care.
Increase to MPIR from 1 April 2022
The MPIR will also increase to 4.07% for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2022 for calculating:
- accommodation prices
- interest on refunds of accommodation lump sum balances
View current and past rates of the MPIR.
What you need to do
Providers must ensure:
- their published accommodation prices on the My Aged Care website are up to date. If you have any questions call the My Aged Care service desk on 1800 836 799
- the accommodation prices published on their own website and in relevant written materials are up to date.
Legislation
No significant developments this week.
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