Aged care news highlights from the week ending 26 May 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 

Aged care warned of looming fifth Covid wave

According to Aged Care Insite, an epidemiologist has warned the aged care sector to stay vigilant of soaring Covid-19 cases as Australia heads into a fifth wave this winter. As of last week, there were 453 reported outbreaks in facilities across Australia. Infections are forecast to double in the next fortnight.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission launches new online IPC tool

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) has launched a new online tool to assist both residential aged care providers and home service providers to access key information and reference materials easily and quickly on IPC. The new tool can be accessed on the Commission's website.

Other News

Increased funding and care minutes changes in residential aged care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, from 1 July 2023, we are increasing funding for residential aged care providers to deliver higher wages for workers and support the increased costs of delivering care for older people in Australia. From 1 October 2023, we will adjust the allocation of care minutes to ensure the right level of care, aligning each service’s average care time responsibility with its funding. Most services will only see a very small change in their service-level care minutes targets.

For more information, see:

• Funding higher wages in residential aged care
• The AN-ACC funding guide (updated)
• Changes to care minutes allocations
• Care minutes and 24/7 registered nurse responsibility guide (updated)
• AN-ACC funding and care minutes estimator.

Webinar: 24/7 registered nurse responsibility for residential aged care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, to support the residential aged care sector ahead of the introduction of the 24/7 registered nurse responsibility on 1 July 2023, the department is hosting a webinar on Thursday 1 June at 2pm‑3pm AEST. This webinar will provide information about the upcoming 24/7 registered nurse responsibility, including:

• reporting obligations and data quality
• the 24/7 registered nurse responsibility supplement.

You will have the opportunity to submit questions during registration and ask questions during the session. The webinar recording and presentation slides will be published on the department’s website after the webinar. Read more information and register.

Accountability concerns rise as aged care workers await wage hike

According to Aged Care Insite, concerns are mounting among industry experts about the government's lack of enforceable rules to ensure the pay rise funds are distributed fairly. The Australian government committed $11.3bn over five years to fund the 15 per cent pay rise and on-costs for over 250,000 aged care workers. But as the implementation date of July 1 draws closer, sector representatives disagree over the government's lack of concrete measures to guarantee the wages are passed on to the workers.

Government and Opposition spar over home closures

According to Aged Care Insite, Australia's aged care minister has defended her unwavering commitment to the sector following criticism from the Opposition for exacerbating pressures on aged care providers. Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Anne Ruston said Labor's 'rushed' decisions on staffing requirements amid a national shortage had led to the closure of at least 17 aged care facilities.

Controversial Union access: Aged care labour agreement sparks debate

According to Inside Ageing, due to the special access rights granted to unions, the Albanese government’s new migration rules for addressing aged care staff shortages have stirred controversy. The government’s labour agreement for temporary skilled workers in aged care includes an extensive memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining union access conditions and labour market testing. This move has been described by some as a stealthy unionisation of the workforce.

Budget coffers welcome, but ‘structural change’ needed, says report

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, despite the aged care sector’s $36-billion budget windfall, when it comes to reform, the Albanese Government is still behind the ball, according to new analysis.

Curtin Heritage first to secure fast-tracked entry overseas staff

According to Aged Care Insite, a leading aged care provider in Western Australia has become the first to sign the labour agreement to fast-track the entry of overseas workers. Perth-based Curtin Heritage Living signed the agreement with the United Workers Union (UWU) to offer 570 staff a rapid entry and permanent residency pathway over five years.

Standard protocol to call police to aged care homes: says expert

According to Aged Care Guide, police forces are called to aged care facilities “more commonly” than NSW police commissioner discloses, according to an aged care expert.

Officer charged after 95-year-old Clare Nowland dies in hospital

According to Aged Care Insite, the NSW police officer who allegedly tasered 95-year-old Clare Nowland has been charged after the beloved great-grandmother died in Cooma Base Hospital last night.

Palliative care in the spotlight

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, matters of life and death have been the focus of conversation recently as Australia recognises National Palliative Care Week.

Home Care News

CHSP expanded to plug service gaps

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, home care providers can apply for up to $250,000 a year to increase service supply under the Commonwealth Home Support Program, operators have been told.

CHSP provider funding

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, CHSP providers are reminded to contact their Funding Arrangement Manager about any major disruptions to normal service delivery at their earliest opportunity. CHSP providers can use the 100 percent flexibility provisions to re-distribute funding across their funded Aged Care Planning Regions to manage service demand.

CHSP providers can continue to apply for ad hoc funding under the CHSP Ad Hoc Proposals (GrantConnect GO5672) grant funding opportunity as a response to an unforeseen and exceptional circumstances, address gaps in service delivery and trial and implement new and innovative service delivery models. Applications are open until 30 April 2024.

“A kick in the teeth”: Aged Care Minister writes to home care recipients pledging 11.9% increase in fees to cover 15% wage increase

According to The Weekly Source, home care providers say they have been blindsided by a letter to consumers from Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells explaining that the funding for their Home Care Package (HCP) will increase by 11.9% from 1 July 2023 to cover the cost of the Fair Work Commission’s 15% wage rise – 3.1% less than the increase.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.