Aged care news highlights from the week ending 20 April 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.
Coronavirus/COVID-19 News
Staff missing out on COVID jab
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, most residential aged care workers want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at their place of work but many are being told to source it from a general practitioner due to delays, aged care stakeholders have told Australian Ageing Agenda. Delays in the government’s rollout of the vaccine have left most aged care facility staff unimmunised despite them being prioritised and included in the first phase of the program along with aged care residents.
Vaccine rollout in disarray, aged care left in the dark
According to Aged Care Insite, the nation's COVID-19 vaccination rollout has become more complicated over the past week after questions were raised about the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine. After reports of a possible link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots were raised by the EU regulator and the UK announced it would offer under-30s an alternative vaccine as a result, Prime Minister Scott Morrison advised under 50s in Australia to consider another option. This was followed by an announcement on Friday that the use of AstraZeneca in NSW would be paused.
Other News
Consumer peaks unite, propose industry reform
According to Aged Care Insite, twelve aged care consumer peak organisations have come together and issued a joint plan for reform of the aged care sector. Led by the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia, the groups issued a response to the royal commission's final report and identified key areas for fixing aged care that they say the federal government must implement in the upcoming budget. Crucially, they want the reforms to be put in place within 12-18 months. Among the changes the signatory organisations want to see implemented are increased transparency from aged care providers, minimum staffing levels, wage increases for workers, stronger powers and a more versatile toolkit for an independent quality regulator, and a new rights-based Aged Care Act.
Industry peak body demands 15 point plan to be adopted by Government
According to Aged Care Guide, Australian Aged Care Collaboration (AACC), representing a number of industry peak bodies, has urged the Federal Government to adopt its 15 point plan that has been formulated to get older Australians the most benefit in the quickest amount of time from an improved aged care system.
Updates to My Aged Care
(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:
Improvements to the Make a Referral tool
It is now easier for health and aged care professionals to refer people for an aged care assessment. We have updated the Make a Referral tool on My Aged Care to:
- remove the need for users to re-enter their contact information for each new referral
- extend the time-out to 60 minutes, so information isn’t lost to inactivity.
Submitting referrals into My Aged Care is quicker, easier and more secure through online channels. They include:
New online features
Some new features on My Aged Care will make it easier for senior Australians to find the information they need. We encourage you to invite your patients and clients to try them:
Clients and representatives no longer need to phone My Aged Care to activate their Online Account. By confirming their identity in myGov, they can now access their own record.
Clients and representatives are now able to specify that documents uploaded to the My Aged Care Online Account are for an assessor or a provider. These will be available to view immediately on their My Aged Care record, without processing delays. Detailed information on the new process is available in the Online Account Guide for Documents.
A new video on how clients and representatives can access and use their Online Account is now available on the My Aged Care website.
We have also updated the Fee Estimator tool on the My Aged Care website. It is now easier for consumers to understand what their level of contribution would be.
New e-Referral information webpage launched
(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, a new webpage about the My Aged Care GP e-Referral solution is now live on the HealthLink website. The webpage makes it easier for GPs and practice staff to find information about e-Referrals and understand the process, including:
- how the e-Referral solution works and its key benefits
- FAQs
User guides for each of the practice management software compatible with the e-Referral solution: Best Practice, MedicalDirector, and Genie Solutions (Medtech Evolution coming soon).
The department will continue to update the webpage in collaboration with HealthLink in response to feedback and ongoing enhancements.
For more information, support and feedback:
SA CCTV trial is underway
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the trial of a video and audio surveillance system in South Australian state-run aged care facilities has officially started almost two years after it was expected to kick off. The $785,000 12-month trial of the monitoring system uses closed-circuit television (CCTV) and aims to enhance resident safety and care. The trial kicked off at Mount Pleasant Aged Care on 22 March and Northgate House on 29 March, a spokesperson from SA Health told Australian Ageing Agenda.
Dementia Australia releases roadmap for quality care
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Dementia Australia chair Professor Graeme Samuel has spoken about his experience of dementia in his own family as he presented Dementia Australia’s plan for the future of quality care. In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday Professor Samuel called on the federal government to commit to making a difference to the lives of Australians affected by dementia, saying the aged care royal commission has highlighted the “disgraceful” treatment of people with living with the disease.
CEOs share RC response plans
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, understanding quality care, exploring partnerships and developing consumer-focused policies are among the key areas aged care providers have already taken action on in response to the royal commission’s final report. Southern Cross Care Tasmania CEO Robyn Boyd said the provider is prioritising a thorough understanding quality care while waiting for the government to respond to the royal commission’s 148 recommendations.
Expenses also rising more than revenue for listed providers
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the revenue of the three-listed aged care providers has increased but less than the rise in operating expenses, StewartBrown’s latest report shows. StewartBrown’s Listed Aged Care Providers Financial Performance Analysis released this week analyses the financial results of the aged care providers listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, Regis Healthcare, Estia Health and Japara Healthcare, for the six months ending 31 December 2020.
Register now for Federal Budget information
(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, you can now register to receive information from the Department of Health about the 2021 22 Federal Budget via our subscription link. We encourage you to share this link with colleagues within your organisation who may find this information useful. Details of the department’s information webinar and ePack will be shared through the mailing list in coming weeks.
Preventable hospital admissions from aged care cost $312 million a year: AMA
According to Aged Care Insite, the peak body for doctors has said that Australia could be saving $21 billion by eliminating avoidable hospital admissions from aged care homes and older people in the community. “The potentially preventable hospital admissions – just one aspect of the current nursing home experience – show there are substantial savings to be made with immediate reform,” Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid said.
Applications closing – Business Improvement Fund grants for residential aged care
(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, grant opportunities for the Business Improvement Fund for residential aged care close on 30 April 2021. Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) hosted a webinar demonstrating how to access the Business Improvement Fund. You can watch the webinar, or view the presentation slides.
Providers can apply for one of the following streams of funding:
- Business Improvement (refer to Frequently Asked Questions for BAS requirements on the GrantConnect website)
- Sale of a Facility
- Closure of a Facility.
For more information and to submit your application form:
- refer to Grant Opportunity GO3410 on the GrantConnect website or
- email queries to the Business Improvement Fund at bif@health.gov.au
- Applications must be submitted via GrantConnect by 2:00pm AEST on 30 April 2021.
Legislation
No significant development this week.
Resources and Upcoming Events
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.
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?
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