Aged care news highlights from the week ending 27 October 2023, aggregated by Ideagen 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 Ideagen CompliSpace .

COVID-19 News 

Ongoing Covid support for aged care homes

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the federal government is providing $318 million to fund Covid-19 support measures for residential aged care homes next year. From 1 January 2024, a new Aged Care Outbreak Management Supplement will replace Covid grants and provide continued support for the sector for another 12 months. The supplement will help residential aged care providers manage potential outbreaks. A surge workforce will also be on hand to assist aged care providers impacted by the pandemic.

Other News

Those with means must pay, say taskforce members

According to Community Care Review, when it comes to funding reform, a co-contribution model is front and centre of the minds of the members of the aged care taskforce, providers were told at an industry event on Wednesday.

Sector finances ‘terrifying’, says expert

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, speaking at a panel event discussing the care economy at the national conference of the Aged and Community Care Providers Association on Thursday, Catherine De Fontenay – commissioner of the Productivity Commission – said: “The financial statistics are, frankly, terrifying.”

Providers will miss reporting deadline, says expert

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, many aged care providers are unaware they have to submit an operations report to government by the end of the month, an industry insider has told Australian Ageing Agenda.

QI data shows positive trend

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, aged care homes have recorded significant decreases in unplanned weight loss, falls that result in major injury, antipsychotic medication use, and use of physical restraint among residents – according to the latest quality indicator report. Published online by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the report reveals trends in quality indicator performance across eight quarters – 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Professional learning events: Governing for Reform in Aged Care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is offering a series of free online learning events through the Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program. The workshops and webinars aim to assist best practice in aged care governance and the provision of high-quality care. Upcoming events

• Workshop: Unleashing the power of consumer co-design (2 November)
• Webinar: Making bold decisions for a successful future (8 November)
• Workshop: What story is the data telling us about the quality of care our consumers receive? (14 November)
• Workshop: Navigating director onboarding (30 November)
• Workshop: The key to trust building (5 December)

Register now

Government commended for reform implementation

According to Community Care Review, significant progress has been made in implementing the royal commission’s recommendations, according to a report released last week. Requested by Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells, the 93-page document is an “objective and independent” assessment by the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care into the government’s response to the recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Are migrants the solution to increase aged care workforce?

According to Aged Care Insite, the last public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s inquiry into the role of permanent migration in nation building has looked at how migration strategies could address workforce shortages in the aged care sector. Robert Thomason, the executive director of VETASSESS, which is Australia's largest authorised skills assessment provider, said a solution to the understaffed aged care workforce could lie in strengthened labour agreements with different countries.

Aged care workers paid back $2.1m after payroll error

According to Aged Care Insite, an aged care service provider has paid back $2.1m to aged care workers across the country after a payroll error was discovered in 2020. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) said both current and former staff working for the provider Calvary Administration had received incorrect payments due to an error related to a Sunday penalty rate for two years.

Home Care News

Home care management faces ‘fundamental change’

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the care manager’s role is going to involve more clinical oversight once the home care sector reforms come into play, a sector insider has told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Fair Work Commission Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Base Funding Grant is now open

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, The Fair Work Commission (FWC) Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Base Funding grant opportunity is now open. The grant will help CHSP providers meet the increase to award wages and related on-costs for some aged care workers from 30 June 2023. To apply, CHSP providers must have a 2023-24 grant agreement and employ staff or subcontractors under the following awards:

• Aged Care Award 2010
• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award 2010 (Schedule E)
• Nurses Award 2020

Apply online via GrantConnect before 2 pm (AEDT) 30 November 2023. For more information, read our provider fact sheet and grant opportunity guidelines.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.