Aged care news highlights from the week ending 29 April 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

Upcoming changes to provider reporting on resident and workforce COVID-19 vaccination

According to the Department of Health, from Friday 29 April 2022, aged care providers will notice a change to the provider reporting template for resident and workers, accessed through the My Aged Care provider portal.

From 3 May 2022, all in-home and community aged care providers will report on the new template for their worker vaccinations. The new template will provide greater distinction for reporting single dose, two doses and booster doses for workers. This will require a change to how providers have previously entered data.

Homes face closure due to cost of COVID

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, dozens of aged care homes around Australia are on the verge of collapse due to the heavy financial pressures created by a resurgence of COVID, warns Catholic Health Australia. CHA – which represents the largest grouping of aged care homes in the country – is receiving reports from its members that the current situation has left facilities “financially unsustainable”.

Smaller is better for COVID control, study finds

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, research has found that COVID infection rates were markedly lower in smaller, detached residential units when compared to rates of transmission in larger, single-site facilities. The meta-analysis – led by UNSW Sydney – found aged care facilities with a cottage model design had an infection rate almost half that (26 per cent) of a more traditional institutional-style facility (50 per cent).

Other News

Aged care workers’ strike likely to be announced by end of the week

According to Aged Care Insite, strike action could be expected within the next week after nearly all major providers in Australia have agreed to join the peak union's dispute with the federal government. Bolton Clarke of South Australia is the seventh provider to endorse UWU's plans, with union representatives meeting with Regis Aged Care from WA tonight. Aged care workers have been expressing anger regarding the government's inadequate response to chronic understaffing and low pay.

Labor will look overseas to meet nursing quota

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Labor party has said it will recruit health workers from overseas to fulfil an election pledge to require registered nurses onsite in Australia’s aged care facilities. As part of a $2.5 billion aged care package aimed at improving conditions in the sector, the Labor party has committed to having a registered nurse operating around-the-clock in every aged care facility in the country from July 2023.

Greens pledge $260 million for home care

According to Community Care Review, the Australian Greens are committed to investing millions of dollars into home care funded by a wealth tax as part of their election policy. Last week, the party launched its aged care policy, Aged Care for All, where it said it would invest $260 million to keep the home care package waiting list clear.

NDIS registration renewal for providers supporting NDIS participants

Prior to 1 December 2020, aged care providers did not need to register as a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider if they provided care and services to a NDIS participant. On 1 December 2020, residential aged care providers supporting NDIS participants were automatically deemed as a provider with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Following the 1 December 2020 decision, the NDIS Commission has taken a phased approach to the registration renewal of these providers and has recently been contacting aged care providers regarding the registration renewal process. NDIS provider registration renewal dates are available on the certificates of registration received from the NDIS Commission. If you’re an aged care provider who supports NDIS participants, you’re encouraged to confirm the registration renewal dates and process directly with the NDIS Commission.

You can get more information from the NDIS Commission via its website or by phoning 1800 035 544. Alternately, you may wish to seek more information from your peak body.

Rural Locum Assistance Program (LAP) Aged Care

According to the Department of Health, the Rural Locum Assistance Program (LAP) Aged Care provides staffing support services in rural and remote Australia for key personnel locum placements, which may include, but is not limited to registered nurses, enrolled nurses and facility managers. Connecting with Rural LAP Aged Care enables health professionals, aged care workers, providers and organisations to benefit from a comprehensive locum placement service. For more information email enquiries@rurallap.com.au. 

Legislation

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Vaccination Information) Principles (No. 2) 2022 [CTH] – commenced 27 April 2022

This instrument amends the Accountability Principles 2014 and the Records Principles 2014 for requirements to report and record vaccination information.

The Amending Principles require approved providers of residential care, certain flexible care and home care services to keep records and report to the Secretary of the Department of Health (Secretary) in relation to the number of service staff who have not received one or more specified doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes not only a single dose or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as previously required, but also a booster dose to ensure consistency in the way providers record and report on the doses service staff have not received.

The Amending Principles also impose requirements on approved providers of residential care and certain flexible services to keep records and report to the Secretary the number of care recipients to whom residential care is provided through the service:

- who have informed them that they have received an additional dose (‘winter 2022 dose’) of a COVID-19 vaccine;

- who have informed them they are unwilling or clinically unsuitable to receive a recommended dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.