Aged care news highlights from the week ending 25 August 2023, aggregated by Ideagen.

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 Ideagen.

COVID-19 News 

COVID-19: PPE pack deployment

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the 2023 summer supply of bulk personal protective equipment (PPE) packs from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) will be deployed from early September. The process will begin with rural and remote locations. All residential aged care homes will be contacted by DHL, the NMS logistics provider, to confirm delivery arrangements and details. Residential providers should confirm delivery arrangements within 2 business days of being contacted. If you do not want this PPE supply, please let DHL know when called. If you have not been contacted by DHL by 30 September:

• email: AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@Health.gov.au.
• See our website for information on provider responsibilities and PPE pack items.

2023 COVID-19: Aged Care Support Program grant

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the 2023 COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Grant is open. We encourage eligible providers to submit their applications as soon as practical. The grant supports providers transition to managing costs of COVID-19 outbreaks as part of business-as-usual arrangements. Eligible residential and home care service providers can apply to be reimbursed for eligible costs incurred due to COVID-19 outbreaks (or COVID-19 impacted home care recipients) between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023. Register to access and read the Grant Opportunity Guidelines to understand the process and expectations of the grant. Grant information, including specific eligibility requirements, is available on GrantConnect (GO6223).

COVID-19: Aged Care Worker Leave Payment grant 

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Worker COVID-19 Leave Payment Grant Opportunity is open to support aged care workers who were unable to work due to COVID-19:

• between 1 April 2023 and 31 December 2023, and
• where they have insufficient access to sick leave payments.

We encourage eligible providers to submit their application for sick leave payments made to directly employed:

• permanent, or
• casual aged care workers.

Grant applications close on Friday 16 February 2024. Australian Government-funded residential and home care providers can apply for reimbursement of up to $750 per week per employee for payments made to eligible workers. Register to access and read the Grant Opportunity Guidelines to understand the process and expectations of the grant. Grant information, including specific eligibility requirements, is available on GrantConnect (GO6255).

Other News

Aged care a strain on fiscal future

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Australia’s ageing population will place further pressures on the aged care system and, in turn, government finances, warns the latest intergenerational report. Formally released on Thursday by the Treasury, the report – the sixth of its kind – provides a “big picture view” of the nation’s fiscal position over the next 40 years. The IGR’s authors list five core spending strains over the next four decades – among them aged care. “Australian Government spending on aged care is projected to grow,” they say.

Sector finances at ‘lowest point’, says report

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, a government report shows the aged care sector’s profits were in the doldrums during 2021-22. Released this week by the Department of Health and Aged Care, the latest Financial Report on the Australian Aged Care Sector – FRAACS – shows residential aged care operated at a loss of $2.264 billion – or $32.97 per resident per day. “The financial performance of the residential aged care sector has been declining since 2016-17 and has likely reached its lowest point in the 2021-22 financial year,” say the report’s authors.

‘Critical challenges’ ahead for department

According to Community Care Review, there will be “enormous strains” across Australia’s health and aged care systems over the immediate future, reports a government body. In a capability review of the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Public Service Commission – established to ensure the country’s public services meet the demands and expectations of the federal government and the Australian people ­– finds that over the next four years and beyond there will be a number of challenges facing the health and aged care sectors.

Stakeholders meet to discuss Aged Care Act

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, peak bodies and advocacy groups have met this week to provide feedback to the aged care minister on the proposed framework of the new Aged Care Act. The redrafted rights-based Act – which was a recommendation of the royal commission – will come into effect from 1 July 2024.

Palliative care model suboptimal for people with dementia

Palliative care services in Australia are inappropriate for people living with dementia, an expert has told Community Care Review.

Reminder: Provider operations reports due by 31 October

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, a reminder for residential and home care providers. Provider Operations information for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 is due by 31 October 2023. To report, please use the Provider Operations Collection Form, through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS). For more information:

• provider operations reporting requirements: Strengthening provider governance in aged care.
• using GPMS, including help and trouble-shooting: Government Provider Management System (GPMS).

New standards for data collection and reporting

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, a new set of data standards, Aged Care National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) are available to software vendors, developers and providers. The NMDS is a core set of standardised data elements for the collection and reporting of aged care data. New data standards for aged care will be progressively released as part of the NMDS each year. There is no immediate action needed other than being aware of what is coming. For more information visit Data improvements - AIHW Gen.

Webinar: Digital transformation tech talk

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Department of Health and Aged Care's Digital Transformation program is working to create a better-connected aged care network, that is consolidated, sustainable, automated, and modern. We are inviting you to join us for an ongoing conversation via the Digital Transformation Tech Talk webinar series. When: Thursday 7 September, 2pm (AEST). Register for the webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk.

Residents’ Experience Survey: Your turn to have a say

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the 2023 round of the Residents’ Experience Survey (RES) is progressing well. Over 70 per cent of services have already completed their surveys. To make sure the RES is a positive experience for residents and residential aged care staff, we’re keen to hear your feedback about what’s working well and what we could improve next time. HealthConsult is conducting an independent evaluation of the 2023 RES. They are inviting residential aged care staff to provide feedback via the Residential Aged Care Home’s Staff Survey. It includes 10 questions and will take less than 10 minutes to complete. More information is available on the Residents’ Experience Surveys webpage.

Webinar: Mandatory care minutes for residential aged care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, we are hosting a webinar to support the residential aged care sector ahead of care minutes targets becoming mandatory on 1 October 2023. When: Tuesday 5 September 2023, 2pm-3pm (AEST). Register for the webinar: Mandatory Care Minutes.

Shape the future of aged care for First Nations people

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, applications are now open for the interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner. The role will provide a strong, authentic voice to the Australian Government and will:

• consult with older First Nations people, their families, carers and communities
• engage with sector-wide reforms to help remove barriers and improve aged care services for First Nations peoples
• advise Government on the design and functions of a permanent Commissioner role in the aged care system.

Find out more about the role on the APS Jobs website, applications close 6 September 2023. Please note this position is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Rural and remote providers: management training

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, we are offering specific management training for aged care managers in rural and remote areas. This free training is available for all eligible rural and remote aged care managers, including coordinators and any relief staff. The training will increase the skills, knowledge and capability of aged care managers working in rural and remote locations. To find out about eligibility and how to apply email SDAP@health.gov.au. Read about the Remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP) on our website.

Free translation service for aged care providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, do you have older people in your care who are not able, or prefer not to communicate in written English? We have established a free translation service for aged care providers to share written information with older people and their families from:

• culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• First Nations elders
• Deaf, blind, deafblind and those who are hard of hearing.

This translating service helps providers to support older people to make informed decisions about their care. Visit the webpage diversityagedcare.health.gov.au to request a free translation of your information. You can also call 1800 271 034 for more information or to request a translation.

Anglican Church fears Voluntary Assisted Dying threatens aged care presence

According to Hello Care, the Anglican Church has raised fears it may exit the aged care industry if Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws lead to moral and legal battles with residents within its aged care homes.

Home Care News

Home Care Planning for Reform Success Workshops

According to Australian Ageing Agenda: do not miss the Planning for Reform Success Workshops designed to assist CHSP & HCP providers to plan and formulate their reform roadmap in readiness for the new Support at Home Program. Over 165 Home Care organisations have attended these workshops to date to build their roadmap for change and transformation. See here for workshop dates and locations.

Legislation

Accountability Amendment (Access and Assistance for Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority) Principles 2023 [CTH] – commenced 15 August 2023

This instrument amends the Accountability Principles 2014 to allow access to the residential care service and provide all reasonable facilities and assistance necessary to persons performing aged care pricing and costing advice functions of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority.