Aged care news highlights from the week ending 27 January 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

Tens of thousands of serious incidents reported to aged care watchdog under new scheme

According to ABC, tens of thousands of serious incidents were reported to the aged care watchdog under a new scheme established to prevent and reduce abuse and neglect in residential facilities. More than 37,800 "serious incident notifications" were received by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission during last financial year, according to data published in a report by the Productivity Commission assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of key government services. Most notifications were related to the unreasonable use of force.

Aged Care Banning Order Register and Regulatory Bulletin

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, a banning order is an enforcement action that prohibits or restricts a person from being involved in aged care or from engaging in activities as an aged care worker or governing person of an approved provider. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission publishes the Aged Care Banning Order Register, which includes information on individuals who have been issued a banning order. To assist providers, the Commission has released the Banning Orders Regulatory Bulletin. The Bulletin provides guidance on banning orders, the circumstances in which the Commission will make an order and the approach to deciding whether to do so. It includes information on the consequences of breaching an order, varying and revoking an order and publishing information on banning orders. Find further information on the Commission’s website.

Mother of eight receives aged care’s first banning order

According to The Weekly Source, a mother of eight has become the first aged care worker to be banned from working in aged care in Australia, after she was caught stealing from residents.

Reminder: Have your say on the Exposure Draft of the Inspector‑General of Aged Care Bill

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, there is still time to have your say on the exposure draft of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill. You can submit comments or complete the survey on the Aged Care Engagement Hub by 5pm AEDT on Friday 27 January. The Inspector-General will play a critical role in driving improvement across Australia’s aged care system. They will call out significant system-wide problems and make recommendations for improvement. The Inspector-General will also report to Parliament on the progress of the Royal Commission recommendations. For further information on the Inspector-General of Aged Care visit the department’s website.

Have you registered for Alis?

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s online learning platform – the Aged Care Learning Information Solution (Alis) – is free for all employees of Commonwealth-funded aged care providers. For further information and to register visit the Commission’s website.

National Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, Anglicare’s Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program equips those who support older people with the knowledge to help prevent suicide. The free national program includes a general suicide prevention online course followed by a workshop contextualising the training for older people. The 2 parts should only take a total of 3 hours to complete. If you are interested, please email Anglicare at suicide.prevention@anglicare.org.au or visit the Anglicare website.

Reminder: Care minutes reporting due 14 February

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for the December 2022 quarter (October‑December 2022) is due by Tuesday 14 February. Reports must be submitted by this date for care minutes data to be accepted for Star Rating purposes. You will be advised in writing if you need to review or amend any data submitted. You must respond to, or action, the request by Tuesday 7 March. Care minutes data submitted after the initial due date or re-submission date will not be included in the calculation of Star Ratings. This will result in a 1 Star Rating for the Staffing sub-category. View resources to assist with QFR reporting:

• Forms Administration
• Care Minutes and 24/7 Registered Nurse Requirements guide.
  

For care minutes reporting support, email qfr@stewartbrown.com.au

New resident experience surveys from February

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Resident Experience Surveys – previously known as Consumer Experience Interviews – are due to commence next month, the Department of Health and Aged Care has announced. Commissioned by the Australian Government, the annual surveys gather feedback from aged care residents about their experiences of care, culture, food, and management in the home they live in. The responses received will inform the Residents’ Experience Rating component in the new star ratings system – which were published for the first time in December.

Report shows downward trend in max re-accreditation term

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, a decreasing number of residential aged care services were re-accredited for a three-year period last financial year, according to a government report. That is just one of the findings contained in the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services 2023, which focuses on the use of government-funded care and support services for older people during the 2021-22 financial year.

Pay aged care workers in full now, say unions

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, unions, along with other stakeholders, have made submissions to the Fair Work Commission calling for its interim offer of a 15 per cent pay rise to be paid in full without delay. In the November decision on the aged care work value case, the FWC announced it was offering nurses and personal care workers a 15 per cent pay rise to be paid in two stages: 10 per cent from 1 July, and the other 5 per cent 12 months later. The proposal received federal government support. However, the offer was criticised by stakeholders for being phased in over 18 months rather than being paid immediately in full, and only applying to direct care workers.

Aged care heroes honoured

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Professor Susan Kurrle is one of many recipients of an Australia Day honour for significant service to the aged care sector. Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, Professor Kurrle received her award for distinguished service to medicine as a geriatrician, and to research into dementia and cognitive decline.

Aged care acquisitions up 25% last year as 44 aged care homes changed hands

According to The Weekly Source, StewartBrown released its latest Aged Care Financial Performance Survey over the summer break, and it did not make for relaxing holiday reading. The aged care accountants reported that in the September quarter, 70% of aged care homes operated at a loss, up from 56% at the same time the previous year.

5-star model aged care home turning to retirement living for growth

According to The Weekly Source, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells promoted the new star rating system for residential care with a visit to operator Sundale’s Bowder home in Nambour, Queensland. Bowder was one of only 20 homes to achieve a five-star rating in the country.

Home Care News

No significant developments this week.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.