Aged care news highlights from the week ending 25 February 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
ADF ‘keen to help’
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, defence personnel have been life-changing and a “godsend” helping staff and residents, aged care home representatives have told their counterparts in a national webinar promoting the short-term service.
Less than 200 troops sent to assist aged care homes
According to Aged Care Insite, last week, the prime minister announced up to 1700 Australian Defence Force personnel would be sent into residential aged care. But a Senate estimates hearing was told on Wednesday that just 106 had been deployed.
Recording available: ADF Support to residential aged
care webinar
According to the Department of Health, a recording is now available of a special webinar held on Monday 21 February 2022 on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Support in Residential Aged Care. You can view the webinar at Australian Defence Support to Residential Aged Care - YouTube.
Reminder - New COVID-19 Support Portal from 28 February 2022
(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 services will be able to report a resident, worker or visitor COVID-19 case at their service via a new, online COVID-19 Support Portal accessed through the My Aged Care provider portal. The Department has issued a factsheet and quick reference guide to assist you through this process.
NPS MedicineWise Hub for COVID-19 anti-virals
(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, NPS MedicineWise has launched the Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 Hub containing information on recently approved anti-virals and monoclonal antibody medicines that can be used to treat COVID-19. The hub will provide new clinical information, resources and links to help keep health professionals and consumers up to date with the latest approvals, evidence and guidance.
Recording available: Webinar for residential aged care providers – updated CDNA guidelines
(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 recording is now available of a special webinar held yesterday, Thursday 24 February 2022 to introduce the latest, significant updates to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National guidelines for the prevention, control, and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities (RACFs) in Australia. The webinar was hosted by Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), with speakers from the Department of Health.
You can view the webinar on YouTube: CDNA Revised Guidelines webinar.
COVID-19 oral treatment for residential aged care facilities
(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 Australian Government has sent supplies of Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) through the National Medical Stockpile to all residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Lagevrio® is provisionally approved for use in COVID-19 positive adults who do not require supplemental oxygen due to COVID-19 and are at increased risk of progression to hospitalisation or death. Find out more about COVID-19 oral treatments for RACFs on the department's website.
Latest advice - Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
(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:
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) - detection of Omicron
The evidence so far indicates that the RATs used in Australia can detect the Omicron variant. However, if any data is found that shows them to be ineffective, or unable to detect a particular COVID-19 variant, the TGA will withdraw its approval of the product and issue a warning to users. This information will be provided on the TGA website.
Use of RATs allocated to concession card holders by RACFs
The department has received reports from community pharmacies that they have been asked to supply RACFs with free rapid antigen test (RAT) kits, available to concession card holders. Under the guidelines for the free RAT kit program, community pharmacies cannot supply RATs to RACFs to screen or test their residents. Free RAT kits for concession card holders are available for elderly people living in the community. RACFs are responsible for providing all necessary screening and testing resources
Using RATs - Training and support
Training and support for the use of RATs will be provided to your facility through external provider, Respond Global. Any RACF using Point of Care (PoC) tests are required to undertake this training provided, as this is a requirement under TGA requirements. The orientation and training can begin at your earliest convenience, even if you are yet to receive your tests. To commence the process, the Facility Manager and/or Lead Clinician can register. Should you have any questions, please contact Respond Global on (07) 5438 3611.
New vaccine mandate facing aged care workers
According to Aged Care Insite, residential aged care workers are facing new requirements for a third booster shot to be considered as fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) now considers three doses of Covid-19 vaccine necessary in order to be “up-to-date”. Based on that recommendation, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) said last week that for aged care staff to be fully vaccinated they should receive three shots of vaccine.
COVID Testing requirements for Pathology Collection Teams entering QLD and NSW RACFs
(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, Pathology Collection Team members from recognised pathology providers are not required to be COVID-19 tested more than once a day. When Pathology Collection Team members enter a RACF, facilities can request to see evidence of a negative COVID-19 test for that day. The evidence could include:
- a time stamped photo of their negative RAT result for that day
- a system generated SMS indicating a negative test for that day.
Workers should not carry the negative RAT with them as the results will deteriorate throughout the day.
NSW Health updated directions
(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 screening advice for residential aged care facilities and home care service providers has been updated for 18 February 2022.
The key messages for this update include:
- emergency services providers are not visitors and are not required to undertake a RAT prior to entering a RACF
- Home Care Providers should assist clients in reporting positive RAT results where the client is unable to self-report.
Expected delay in RAT deliveries for Queensland residential aged care facilities
(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, Queensland residential aged care facilities are advised to expect delays in Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) deliveries next week beginning 28 February 2022 due to recent extreme weather conditions and damage to transport infrastructure in the state. Providers experiencing an outbreak or exposure are encouraged to discuss any concerns with your Commonwealth Case Management team.
SA Health - FAQs for Residential Aged Care providers
(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, SA Health has developed a factsheet with answers to frequently asked questions to support RACFs to navigate and respond to the next phase of living with COVID-19.
Product Defect Correction - BD Veritor Plus Analyzer
According to the Department of Health, we understand some facilities have received and are using the BD Veritor Plus Analyzer System for rapid COVID-19 testing. We wish to draw your attention that a product defect correction has been issued for the BD Veritor Plus Analyzer (ARTG 197625, all serial numbers). The device is still safe for use, however must be utilised with the approved AC power adaptor provided with the product. The device has the potential to overheat and/or cause fire when an unauthorised alternative AC power adapter is used.
The Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) issued the notice advising that the manufacturer, Becton Dickinson (BD) has written directly to affected customers. If you do have any concerns, please contact the BD customer service centre on 1800 656 100.
Other News
View from the frontlines: how aged care staff feel about
crisis talks
According to Aged Care Insite, as news headlines and political debates about Australia's embattled aged care sector rage on, frontline staff have been entirely left out of the conversation, industry advocates have said.
New aged care peak to be all inclusive
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the mooted merger of Australia’s peak aged care service providers has entered the next phase with the formation of a steering committee to oversee the construct and application of the new entity. The new body will represent the whole of the aged care sector – residential and home care; not-for-profit and for-profit; faith-based and secular.
Upcoming changes to SIRS online reporting form
According to the Department of Health, the online reporting form for the Serious Incident Response Scheme will be easier to use from 28 February 2022, following changes to the My Aged Care Provider Portal.
The changes will help residential aged care providers better understand what information to include in their reportable incident notifications to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Providers will also be able to submit multiple Priority 2 incident notifications at a time. This bulk upload capability will speed up the submission process.
Learn more with the following resources from the Commission:
Apply for flexible aged care places (residential)
According to the Department of Health, the 2021-22 Flexible Aged Care Places (Multi-Purpose Services) Allocations Round opened on 14 February 2022.
Multi-Purpose Service approved providers can apply for flexible aged care places to:
- expand existing services or
- establish new services.
Up to 100 places are available through a competitive application process. Applications close on 28 March 2022.
Flexible aged care places (home care) are not allocated in this round.
Find out more and download the application form on the department’s website. If you have any questions, please contact mpsagedcare@health.gov.au
New ‘bed-ready’ process for residential aged care places
According to the Department of Health, a new process is in place for providers who are ready to provide residential aged care and need more places. Providers can now seek residential places through a ‘bed-ready’, non-competitive process, following the end of the Aged Care Approvals Rounds last year.
This process ensures ongoing supply of residential places. It also supports continued investment and construction in the residential aged care sector. The bed-ready process is available until 30 June 2024, when residential aged care places will be assigned directly to senior Australians.
Find out more on the department’s website.
Providers unprepared for new funding tool: survey
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Aged care providers are ill-prepared for the incoming funding tool and pessimistic about maintaining current funding levels and the readiness of information systems, according to an industry report released today.
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model is due to replace the Aged Care Funding Instrument on 1 October 2022. It includes a variable case mix adjusted component plus a fixed and one-off payment. Independent assessors are testing AN-ACC through shadow assessments of all residents to inform the final model.
Productivity Commission to consider leave options for carers of senior Australians
According to Treasury Media Release, the Productivity Commission will examine the merits of unpaid leave allocations for all workers who need to care for an older relative or friend and undertake a study of employment models across the aged care sector. The Productivity Commission will establish a formal inquiry into the potential impact of amending the Fair Work Act 2009 to provide all employees with a minimum entitlement of unpaid carers’ leave, if they are caring for senior Australians living at home.
Legislation
Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 [NSW] – passed Assembly 26.11.21; introduced to Council 22.02.2022
A Private Member's Bill for an Act to provide for, and regulate access to, voluntary assisted dying for persons with a terminal illness; to establish the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board; and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
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