Aged care news highlights from the week ending 15 April 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

Recording Available - Winter Preparedness Webinar

(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.)

The Department of Health is hosting a series of free webinars to help aged care providers to prepare for, respond to and recover from viruses such as influenza, as well as continuing to respond to the threat of COVID-19. The first webinar was held on Wednesday 13 April 2022 and is now available to watch on demand: Preparing your aged care service for winter – readiness.

New Resources - COVID-19 Winter Dose Program in 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, to support residents and their family members, a new fact sheet on the COVID-19 winter dose vaccination program in residential aged care is now available in 20 languages. Posters are also available for residential aged care facilities to download, print and display to promote the COVID-19 winter dose program.

REMINDER: Webinar on Upcoming Changes to Provider Reporting on Resident and Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination

(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, all aged care providers are invited to a live, free webinar on Wednesday 27 April 2022 from 1.00pm – 2.00pm AEST on upcoming changes to the mandatory reporting requirements on resident and workforce COVID-19 vaccinations.

Date: Wednesday 27 April 2022

Time:
ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS and VIC – 1:00pm to 2:00pm
NT and SA – 12:30pm to 13:30pm
WA – 11:00am to 12:00pm

How to join:
Webinar – join using your computer, tablet or smartphone. -https://health-au.webex.com/health-au/j.php?MTID=mb0c5b67cc35dabe5911d8beb7622b5cb

Webinar number: 2652 912 1517

Webinar password: 9876 (9876 from phones)

Join by phone: +61-2-9338-2221 Australia Toll
Access code: 265 291 21517

This webinar will be recorded and available on the department's website for on demand viewing.

Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 Grant Opportunity

(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, applications for the Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) Grant Opportunity close at 2pm AEST on Thursday 30 June 2022. To apply, complete the online grant opportunity application form available on GrantConnect (Grant Opportunity GO4215). If you need help or have questions that are not covered in the frequently asked questions, please email your enquiry through to Grant.ATM@health.gov.au (reference GO4215).

Booster deadline delayed to avoid workforce meltdown (NSW)

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the deadline for New South Wales aged care workers to receive the mandatory third COVID vaccine has been postponed due to concerns it would lead to more staff shortages in a sector already heavily impacted by a staffing crisis. NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant made the decision to delay the 19 April deadline after calls were made for a reprieve.

Other News

Aged Care Workers set to go on Strike for First Time

According to Aged Care Guide, a majority of aged care workers across five large aged care facilities have voted to go on strike due to ongoing anger about the treatment of workers and aged care residents, poor wage increases, and continued workforce shortage. It is expected that if there is no change to the conditions in aged care industrial action will be taken before the Federal Election, which will be the first time aged care workers have ever taken national strike action to express their frustration about pay rates and inadequate staffing levels.

Case to Lift Aged Care Wages Starts Tomorrow – April 26

According to Inside Ageing, the Fair Work Commission will hear evidence relating to a claim for a 25 per cent pay rise for aged care workers. The matter is listed for hearing from April 26 to 11 May (inclusive), with 12 and 13 May reserved. This is one of the most significant wage cases in recent history and covers personal care workers, recreational activities officers, catering, cleaning, administration, and other staff. In the 2022-23 Budget, the Federal Government has not budgeted for any aged care pay rise, while an Albanese Government (if elected) has vowed to pay for the increase.

Financing Aged Care Unlikely to be Tackled this Election: Peak

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, consumer advocacy body COTA Australia wants all parties to commit to funding and financing aged care based on a better balance of taxpayer and user contributions for those who can afford it. However, chief executive Ian Yates said he doesn’t expect this issue to be part of the federal election agenda.

Funding Boost for Aged Care Advocacy

According to Community Care Review, aged care organisations advocating for diverse groups, including older Indigenous people, multicultural groups and the LGBT community, will share in $14.8 million of federal funding. The funding will be provided over three years, starting on July 1, and will be available for seven organisations.

Providers accused of Lobbying against Aged Care Reform

According to Community Care Review, peak older person’s advocacy group has released its election agenda which calls for choice and control in home care, a one-month cap on waiting times and for under-performing operators to be forced out. As campaigning for the May 21 federal election ramps up, COTA has also accused providers of resisting aged care reform out of self-interest.

Greens Pledge to Phase out For-profit Providers

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Australian Greens’ aged care policy – launched this week – includes a commitment to ensure that aged care is provided on a not-for-profit basis. Entitled Aged Care for All, the four-page document features seven key pledges — one of which is to phase out for-profit aged care providers.

Updates on AN-ACC Funding Reform

According to the Department of Health, residential aged care providers can now access the outcome of completed Australian National Aged Care Classifications (AN‑ACC) shadow assessments through the My Aged Care Service Provider Portal.

We encourage providers to visit the residential aged care funding reform and the funding reform resources webpages for the latest information. This includes fact sheets, FAQs and an AN‑ACC Transition Support Plan outlining the resources, financial support and other services available to help providers transition to the new AN‑ACC funding model from 1 October 2022.

New Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program

According to the Department of Health, if you are a member of a governing body or a leader in the aged care sector, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, in partnership with KPMG, invites you to participate in its Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program. The online program is free and all members of governing bodies and executives of Australian Government funded residential aged care and home care providers are eligible to participate. Enrol via the Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program website.

DUE 21 April: Submit your next Food and Nutrition report

According to the Department of Health, the next Food and Nutrition Report is due on 21 April 2022.To ensure your service continues to receive the Basic Daily Fee supplement of $10 per resident per day, please submit your report on time. Back-payments will not be made.

Administrator access is needed to submit the report which can be accessed under the submission portal in the My Aged Care service provider portal. Explanatory notes are on our website to help you complete your report.

For more information or support, call the My Aged Care Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799, go to the department’s website, or email NutritionInAgedCare@health.gov.au

Changes to My Aged Care: Pricing information

According to the Department of Health, new easy-to-navigate tools are now live on the My Aged Care website, to help senior Australians better understand Home Care Package pricing. Changes include:

• a new, quick costs checker for common services
• cost-comparison indicators to compare average pricing at a geographic level
• an updated costs tab layout
• a note to show when content was last updated by the provider.

Providers should regularly review and confirm that their pricing information on the My Aged Care Provider Portal is up-to-date. Read more about the changes to improve price transparency for Home Care Packages or go to the My Aged Care website.

Dying with Dignity: Call to end Delay over Passing Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill

According to Aged Care Insite, no decision has been made as yet in NSW on whether Volunteer Assisted Dying (VAD) will be legalised. While the bill passed the lower house last year, there are concerns about restrictions on time allocated to its debate in the upper house. Charles Sturt University Master of Gerontology graduate Adrienne Matthys warns the delay leaves dying citizens in "dire conditions" while waiting on parliament's decision.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.