Aged care news highlights from the week ending 08 December 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 

Two new Covid vaccines approved as alarming figure reveals majority of Aussies choosing not to get a booster shot

According to Aged Care Insite, two new COVID vaccines will become available in Australia soon with proven success at fighting off new strains of the virus. The Pfizer and Moderna XBB1.5 vaccines were approved by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), with the advice being accepted by the federal government last week. The decision comes as alarming new data revealed only 1.9 million Australian adults have received a Covid vaccination in the six months to November 8.

Other News

Providers battle to recruit RNs

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, almost three-quarters of aged care providers are struggling to recruit and retain enough registered nurses, according to a new industry report. The findings – commissioned by aged care consultants Ideagen, formerly CompliSpace, – feature in the fourth annual Aged Care Workforce Report. It is based on 707 responses to a six-week survey that closed on 31 August and shows 71 per cent of providers are having difficulty hiring RNs.

Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the 2022-23 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 (ROACA) is scheduled to be tabled in parliament this week. You will be able to access the report on the GEN Aged Care Data website. Each year the ROACA report provides an important overview of Australia’s aged care system and details its operation over the previous financial year. Email questions to agedcarereporting@health.gov.au.

Grant forecast: Aged care wages – historical leave liability

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Forecast Opportunity for the Aged Care Wages – Historical Leave Liability Grant Opportunity is now live. This grant opportunity provides $130.9 million for aged care providers. The grant funds 50% of the cost of paying higher leave entitlements for workers that have had their wages increased as a result of the  Aged Care Work Value case.  For more information, read the draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines and FAQs on GrantConnect.  

New incentive for GPs to treat aged care residents

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, a new model to encourage general practitioners to treat aged care residents will provide doctors $300 a year for each eligible patient while the practice gets another $130. The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive is a blended-funding package that aims to support regular health assessments, care plans and regular GP visits for Australia’s 200,000-plus aged care residents.

Home Care News

Sector voices broad support for staged home care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, stakeholders have mostly reacted favourably to the announcement that plans for a single home care program have been delayed until 2027.An amalgamation of the existing Home Care Packages Program, the Short-Term Restorative Care Program and the Commonwealth Home Support Program, was most recently scheduled to launch as the new Support at Home program from 1 July 2025.

Legislation

Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 (No. 17 of 2022) [NSW] – commenced 28 November 2023

An Act to provide for, and regulate access to, voluntary assisted dying for persons with a terminal illness; to establish the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board; and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Advance Care Directives (Review) Amendment Bill 2022 (No. 34 of 2022) [SA] – passed Council and returned to Assembly for final stages 16 November 2023 – Assembly disagreed to amendments on 29 November 2023

This bill seeks to amend the Advance Care Directives Act to improve the functioning of the advance care directive legislation in South Australia.