Aged care news highlights from the week ending 9 December 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.

COVID-19 News 

Maintain Covid vigilance, providers told

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s chief clinical advisor Dr Melanie Wroth has written to aged care providers to thank them for their ongoing efforts in protecting residents and staff from Covid-19 while also warning them to remain vigilant.

Festive season resources for providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Department has developed a suite of resources for aged care providers to use this festive season. There is a range of posters (A3 and A4 sizes) and social media tiles, including:

• Stop! Help protect residents - Please do not enter if you have any symptoms.
• 'Tis the season to be COVID safe

Help protect residents - please don't visit if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing flu like symptoms. You can access these resources on the Department's website.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's message to providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Chief Clinical Advisor from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission), Dr Melanie Wroth, has written to aged care providers to thank them for their efforts and continued focus on protecting residents and staff from COVID-19. The letter also outlines factors to be taken into consideration when reviewing and updating infection control processes and COVID-19 management strategies.

Reminder – expediting access to oral antiviral treatments

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, it is critical that COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), are urgently accessible to every eligible resident who has tested positive for COVID-19, particularly those aged 70 years or older, regardless of risk factors and whether they have symptoms or not.

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.

Reporting of aged care residents and aged care staff influenza vaccinations in 2022

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, as a requirement under the Aged Care Act 1997, Accountability Principles, each aged care service needs to report annually (as at 31 October) on the number of residential aged care residents and aged care staff who received an influenza vaccination in 2022. Providers are reminded to submit their reports via the online form.

Other News

Aged care reform ranked top ethical challenge, report finds

According to Aged Care Insite, Australia has named next year's aged care reforms as the nation's top ethical challenge, according to a recent report. The annual 2022 Ethics Index released last month quizzed a thousand Australians on ethical challenges around topics such as Covid-19 and climate change.

New requirements in place: Provider Governance, Code of Conduct for Aged Care, Serious Incident Response Scheme, Restrictive Practices

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, a number of changes came into effect on 1 December, and it is important that providers are aware of their obligations.

Changes have been made to provider governance responsibilities for Australian Government-funded aged care providers of residential care, home care, and flexible care. For further information, resources and guidance, visit the provider governance webpage on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s (Commission) website and the provider governance webpage on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (department) website.

The new Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code) sets out standards of behaviour for approved providers, their aged care workers and governing persons, helping to build confidence in the safety and quality of care for older Australians. Find support resources, including guidance materials for providers and workers, on the Code webpage on the Commission’s website and the Code webpage on the department’s website.

The Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) has been extended to home care and flexible care delivered in home and community settings. Resources for providers, including guidance materials for SIRS, are available on the SIRS webpage on the Commission’s website.

The Quality of Care Principles now include a hierarchy of persons/bodies who can consent to the use of restrictive practices when the care recipient cannot consent themselves and there is no explicit legal avenue under state/territory laws. Further information and resources are available on the restrictive practices webpage on the department’s website.

Care minutes funding for enrolled nurses in residential aged care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, mandatory care minutes requirements for residential aged care providers will come into effect from 1 October 2023. For more information, see the Care minutes and 24/7 nursing requirements guide.

Suitability of key personnel in aged care providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, providers must ensure they are reasonably satisfied that people engaged as key personnel are suitable to be involved in the provision of aged care. Suitability of key personnel must be reviewed at least once every 12 months by providers. From 1 December 2022, key personnel of providers must advise providers of suitability matters. Suitability matters are defined in section 8C of the Commission Act. For further information and guidance, visit the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website.

Preparing for the AN-ACC Funding Helpdesk closure

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, due to the successful implementation of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) on 1 October 2022, the AN-ACC Funding Helpdesk will be permanently decommissioned today, Friday 9 December at 5pm AEDT. Any outstanding enquiries will be responded to by the department. Providers must direct all future queries to the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422. Visit My Aged Care for hours of operation. For detailed funding information, providers are encouraged to use the Aged Care Funding Reform resources, including the AN-ACC Funding Guide.

Potential ‘glitch’ in AN-ACC around dementia inclusive language

According to Aged Care Insite, a new behaviour assessment within the AN-ACC tool needs revision, researchers have said, after finding the language does not align with the international guidelines around dementia.

IR bill to become law after passing Federal Parliament

According to Inside Ageing, Labor’s controversial industrial relations bill passed parliament on Friday – the last sitting day of the year.

Star Ratings ‘how to’ for Residential Aged Care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, a Star Ratings ‘how to’ mini video has been developed to support older Australians and their representatives to understand and utilise Star Ratings.

Another workforce blow: Allied health staff expected to leave sector

According to HelloCare, a new survey has found more than one in eight allied health workers in residential aged care have lost employment, with another 30% expecting to leave the sector due to reduced hours since the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model on October 1.

Mandate minutes of allied health care, says industry peak

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, industry peak Allied Health Professions Australia met with the Department of Health and Aged Care in Canberra on Monday afternoon calling for mandated minutes of allied health services in residential aged care settings.

Federal Government’s aged care spending approaches $25 billion

According to The Weekly Source, Federal Government spending on aged care continues to grow, with a $24.8 billion outlay in 2021-22 – an increase of 4.9% over the previous year.

NSW care workers to receive fee-free TAFE next year

According to The Weekly Source, NSW TAFE will offer more than 40,000 free courses for care workers, including aged care, following a $319 million 12-month Skills Agreement between the NSW and Federal Governments.

WA Government includes aged care in $2M Regional Traineeship Program grants

According to The Weekly Source, the WA Government has handed out $1.976 million in grants for regional trainee programs around the state, including aged care traineeships in the Wheatbelt region.

Home Care News

Poor profits continue for home care providers

According to Community Care Review, the profitability of home care services declined substantially over the past financial year, according to a new report. The second edition of Australia’s Aged Care Sector Report released last week – compiled by the UTS Ageing Research Collaborative and based on data collected by chartered accountancy firm StewartBrown – covers the full-year financial results for 2021-22.

Home care caps: business as usual for some, big impact for others

The incoming caps on home care fees will have a significant impact on providers who rely on that income to cover their costs, an aged care expert has told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.