Aged care news highlights from the week ending 3 March 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
Experts warn aged care of rising superbug rate: report
According to Aged Care Insite, experts have sounded the alarm on the growing crisis of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, increasingly posing a risk for aged care facilities. The new report from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and CSIRO warned Australia of a looming 'silent pandemic' of superbugs.
Reminder – expediting access to oral antiviral treatments
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department uploads it to their website.)
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, it is critical that COVID-19 oral iantiviral treatments Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), are urgently accessible to every eligible resident who has tested positive for COVID-19. There should be no barriers to accessing medication and if you need access to a GP then you can call HealthDirect's free helpline on 1800 022 222 or use the Service Finder to search for one near you. The Australian Government is actively encouraging pharmacists to stock these medicines. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Find a Pharmacy service enables you to search for pharmacies near you that have stock of oral treatments. If you are in outbreak and are unable to access antivirals quickly, please email the Department at AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@health.gov.au.
COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department uploads it to their website.)
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, providers are encouraged to work with primary care providers to plan for residents to receive the COVID-19 booster dose as soon as they are eligible. Where available, we strongly encourage the bivalent vaccine as this offers additional protection against the original COVID-19 virus and the most recent Omicron variants. If you don't already have a vaccine provider, the Department will be able to assist in organising a primary care provider to deliver the COVID-19 booster vaccines dose. For assistance, please email RACFVaccineClinics@health.gov.au.
COVID-19 Vaccination consent form
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department uploads it to their website.)
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, as with all vaccines, valid consent is required before administering a COVID-19 vaccine dose. While written consent is not mandatory for residents, vaccination providers should ensure they record that an individual has given their consent for a COVID-19 vaccination according to the requirements of their state/territory. The Australian Government has prepared written consent forms which can be used to provide consent to participate in the vaccination program, including to receive a booster dose. You can also use your own form, but it must capture the necessary information to show that the person consents to a COVID-19 vaccine. The consent form should be used in combination with the ATAGI COVID-19 clinical guidance, which will assist in discussions around consent and any medical contraindications or issues that may arise in your conversations with patients.
Moderna (Spikevax) Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4-5 COVID-19 vaccine
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department uploads it to their website.)
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, on 17 February 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Moderna’s COVID-19 Bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.4/BA.5) booster dose vaccine. The Australian Government has secured 3 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 Bivalent BA.4-5 vaccine to ensure an adequate portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines is available in Australia. The Moderna Bivalent BA.4-5 formulation is not currently available in Australia. These Moderna doses are expected to be available in Australia from April 2023. For the current ATAGI recommendations for a 2023 booster dose please visit ATAGI 2023 booster advice.
Top 3 Questions from our Webinar on 23 February 2023
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department uploads it to their website.)
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care:
Question 1 - Is weekly COVID-19 vaccination reporting still mandatory for residential aged care providers and home care providers? If not when can we stop reporting in the My Aged Care portal? Yes. Under Aged Care Legislation, all aged care providers are required to report weekly or when there has been a change to the COVID-19 vaccination status of residents and workers through My Aged Care portal. If there has been no change, updated reporting is not required. We are considering these arrangements and will provide further advice in due course.
Question 2 – What are the booster dose or bivalent dose requirements and will this be mandatory? On 14 February 2023 the Ministers wrote to aged care providers confirming the Australian Governments acceptance of ATAGI’s recommendation for a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose or the Bivalent booster. The 2023 COVID booster dose is not a requirement, but we encourage all residents and workers, that are eligible, to consider this booster dose.
Question 3 - What information is available for Home Care and CHSP providers? Advice given by the Department applies to all contexts of aged care, which includes Home Care and CHSP and recognises the particular vulnerability of older people due to their age. Some of this advice includes:
Other News
‘We want action’: Royal Commission two years on
According to Aged Care Insite, two years after the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was handed down, sector advocates are calling for "genuine reform" and for the government to immediately enact a new aged care act.
‘At least’ 15% pay rise for workers from this year, says minister
According to Community Care Review, in an op-ed in which the Minister for Aged Care acknowledges the second anniversary of the royal commission’s final report, Anika Wells says government will “deliver a pay rise of at least 15 per cent for aged care workers on the minimum award.”
Govt remains committed to fund FWC outcome
According to Community Care Review, the Albanese Government has reiterated its promise to fund the outcome of the Fair Work Commission’s work value case and will finalise the funding details in the upcoming federal budget.
Draft legislation for comment: Residential aged care 24/7 registered nursing reporting and exemption
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, draft subordinate legislation for 24/7 registered nursing in residential aged care can be viewed on the department’s website until 13 March 2023. From 1 July 2023, approved providers of residential aged care must have at least one registered nurse on-site and on duty at all times at each residential facility. The subordinate legislation says approved providers must report each month on registered nursing staffing, and that the Secretary of the department (or delegate) may grant an exemption from the 24/7 registered nursing responsibility in certain circumstances. If you would like to comment on the draft legislation, email anaccoperations@health.gov.au by 13 March 2023. Your comments will be considered in the finalisation of the subordinate legislation. Read more information about Care minutes and 24/7 registered nurses in residential aged care.
Draft details of RN exemption process released
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, only small aged care homes in rural and remote areas of Australia can apply for a registered nurse exemption. That’s one of the stipulations contained in draft legislation and the accompanying explanatory document released by the office of the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells.
Quarterly Financial Snapshot of the Australian Aged Care Sector Q1 2022-23
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the department has published the first Quarterly Financial Snapshot of the Australian Aged Care Sector for quarter 1 of the 2022-23 financial year. This snapshot draws on data submitted through the Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) and includes information such as key financial indicators, care minutes, labour and food and nutrition. Download a copy of the report from the department’s website.
New powers and responsibilities under the Code of Conduct for Aged Care - How do they affect providers?
According to Lexology, the introduction of the new Code of Conduct for Aged Care (Code) in December 2022 has seen significant changes to the regulation of aged care providers and their governing persons; and aged care workers.
Financial stress worse than thought, says provider peak
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, responding to the government’s first quarterly financial summary of the aged care sector, chief executive officer of the Aged & Community Care Providers Association said the sector was in an even worse situation than stakeholders thought.
Scores of new nurses headed for careers in aged care
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, a total of 85 registered nurses have graduated in the first intake of Aged & Community Care Providers Association’s graduate nurse transition-to-practice program.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Bulletin
This issue of the Commission’s Bulletin covers:
- 24/7 registered nurse requirement from 1 July 2023
- Provider obligations to exercise due diligence when engaging workers
- Home services pricing and agreements - Navigating changes the right way
- Expansion of the Quality Indicators program
- Site audits in residential aged care – recording now available!
Home Care News
Budget needs cash boost for home care, say providers
According to Community Care Review, home care providers are calling on the Albanese Government to inject $800 million into the Home Care Packages program. The Aged & Community Care Providers Association has asked the government for the cash boost in its pre-budget submission to clear the waiting list for 2023-24 ahead of the replacement scheme’s commencement in July 2024.
Unspent funds highlight need for home care reform, says expert
According to Community Care Review, unspent home care funding totals $2.4 billion, the government’s first quarterly financial summary of the aged care sector shows.
Better Practice Home Care Package Monthly Statement Template
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, Home Care Package (HCP) providers should review their monthly statements to ensure they comply with Standard 1, 3(e) of the Aged Care Quality Standards and align with the updated Better Practice HCP Monthly Statement Template and guidance documents. The updated template can help improve monthly statements to make it easier for care recipients to understand how their package is being spent. It reflects the 1 January 2023 pricing changes.
Legislation
No significant developments this week.
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