Aged care news highlights from the week ending 08 July 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
Preparing for a COVID-19 outbreak
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)
According to The Department of Health, COVID-19 continues to affect a significant number of aged care providers across the country. As the current wave of infections grows, driven by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, the risk of cases in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) continues to increase with elderly Australians, and those caring for them, remaining vulnerable. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has released a statement on COVID-19 winter update and ongoing health protection measures to support our community.
COVID-19 infection control training
According to the Department of Health, COVID-19 infection control online training is available for health care workers in all settings. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19. Modules available include:
- infection prevention and control for COVID-19
- training for aged care workers
- training focused on rural and remote communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Other News
‘Major change’: new aged care peak comes into force
According to Aged Care Insite, Australia’s aged care sector officially has a new joint peak organisation. On Friday, Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) and Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA) made its official transition into the Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA).
Latest census data reveals pressing need for aged care reform
According to Aged Care Insite, Australia is facing a rapidly ageing population with an urgent need for assistance – the numbers from the recent Australian Bureau of Statistics census did not beat around the bush. Experts fear the already stretched aged care sector in its current state will not be able to provide the service needed in the future.
Staff shortages in aged care have doubled in 12 months
According to Aged Care Guide, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has found that the aged care workforce crisis has doubled over the last year, with the worker shortfall increasing from 17,000 to 35,000.
Scores of new provider applications fail
According to Community Care Review, more than 40 new home care applications were denied approval or pulled, according to the quality commission’s latest performance report.
Positive trend emerging on medication QIs
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, rates of polypharmacy, antipsychotic use and physical restraint among aged care residents have fallen while the proportion of residents experiencing weight loss is up, the latest quality indicators report shows.
AN-ACC – Palliative care entry arrangement
According to the Department of Health, the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model includes 13 variable funding classes that reflect the different care needs of residents in each class. AN-ACC Class 1 ‘Admit for Palliative Care’ is specifically for people who enter residential care for the purpose of receiving palliative care.
Pending enabling subordinate legislation, residential aged care providers will be able to indicate on the aged care entry record that a care recipient has entered a service to receive palliative care from 23 July 2022. We will provide further information, including when the form becomes available and how and when to complete it, before 23 July 2022.
Providers can read the What is AN-ACC Class 1 (Admit for Palliative Care) factsheet for more information. We encourage providers to regularly visit the residential aged care funding reform and the funding reform resources webpages for the latest AN-ACC information.
New name for the Department
(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)
According to The Department of Health, the Department of Health is now called the Department of Health and Aged Care. The change of name reflects the importance of aged care to the Australian community and the high priority the Government places on aged care reform. The Department name change came into effect on 1 July 2022. There will be no change to email addresses or the Department’s website address.
Supporting First Nations people to access aged care
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Federal Government is investing $106 million to provide face-to-face support to help older First Nations people access aged care services. It is also providing further funding of $115 million to build culturally safe aged care facilities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seniors.
NSW Flooding Event – July 2022
According to the Department of Health, heavy rainfall and substantial flooding events are expected to continue across New South Wales over the coming days. This may present further challenges for aged care services, such as evacuations, staff shortages and reduced capacity to visit vulnerable care recipients in the community. Information on preparing for, and responding to, an emergency is set out on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.
Relevant information can be found at:
If the need arises – connect with the New South Wales State Emergency Service on 132 500 in the first instance. In an emergency, call 000.
New panel puts older Aussies’ voices front and centre on aged care quality and safety
According to Aged Care 101, aged care consumers and their loved ones will now have a stronger voice in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) with the launch of a new Consumers and Families Panel.
Legislation
No significant developments this week.
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