Aged care news highlights from the week ending 21 April 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 

No significant developments this week.

Other News

PM defends nursing mandate as more homes close

According to Aged Care Insite, Australia's Prime Minister has stood firm on his 'ambitious' approach to aged care after a Perth-based provider announced it will shut three of its 12 residential homes by 2024. Brightwater Care Group told ABC it faced severe financial and staffing pressures ahead of the new national standards around 24/7 onsite nurses.

Workforce will determine the fate of aged care: experts

According to Aged Care Insite, fixing aged care's workforce issues could resolve most of the sector's problems, two aged care experts have said, following last week's announcement of six home closures. Last Thursday, aged care provider Wesley Mission announced it would close its remaining three facilities after facing difficulties attracting enough staff to meet the new standards.

Aged care providers push for removal daily fee cap

According to Aged Care Insite, aged care providers are calling for a higher consumer contribution and for the government to uncap the basic daily fee, claiming it fails to adequately reflect the increased cost of delivering care. Catholic Health Australia (CHA), Opal Healthcare, Anglicare Sydney, and Southern Cross Care (Qld) said the 85 per cent cap on the basic daily fee was 'outdated.'

Call for emergency funding as providers balance on financial cliff

According to Aged Care Insite, a sector expert has urged the federal government to provide emergency funding packages as Australia's aged care providers reach 'critical point' in financial crisis. Last Tuesday, aged care specialist StewartBrown published its latest report on the sector's performance over six months ending 31st of December 2022.

ACCPA’s roadmap for the future

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, some of the aged care royal commission’s recommendations currently being implemented by the sector are not looking like such good ideas, chief executive officer of the provider peak told delegates at an industry event Wednesday.

New training to improve safety of psychotropic medications

According to Aged Care Insite, researchers have developed new training modules for aged care workers and nurses to reduce medication misuse in restrictive practices in residential aged care. Restrictive practices include the use of medication to sedate people in residential aged care to control movement or decision-making.

Achieving excellence in aged care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, The secret to excellence in aged care is compassion and commitment, delegates have heard at an industry conference on Tuesday.

Home Care News

Home care package access up, waiting list down, says report

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the number of people accessing a home care package has increased while the wait list for entering the program has decreased markedly, according to the latest government statistics.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.