Aged care news highlights from the week ending 9 September 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

No significant developments this week.

Other News

Second bill passes lower house

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the second piece of aged care legislation – the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill – passed through the House of Representatives Thursday. The implementing care reform bill contains three major proposals, as recommended by the royal commission:

• increased transparency measures for providers
• a cap on home care charges
• mandatory requirement for facilities to have registered nurses on-site 24/7 [from 1 July 2023]

There will be exemptions, however, for rural and regional facilities unable to recruit a registered nurse.

Migration boost welcome, say sector peaks

According to Community Care Review, peak bodies have welcomed the announcement of a migration intake increase to help bolster staff numbers in priority sectors, including aged care.

Jobs summit: TAFE, migration reforms to support aged care workforce

According to Aged Care Insite, improving access to TAFE training and boosting skilled migration to increase the supply of workers into the struggling health and aged care sector were major outcomes from last week’s Jobs and Skills summit.

CCTV pilot receives in-principle support despite glitches

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, an independent evaluation of a trial of a video and audio surveillance system in residential aged care in South Australia has found that it “did not achieve the aspirations held for it.”

Default AN-ACC classifications

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) starts on 1 October 2022. AN‑ACC assessments are continuing, and most residents now have an AN‑ACC class. In the next few weeks any residents without an AN-ACC class, including those who enter care, will be assigned a default AN‑ACC class. From 1 October the default class will determine the variable subsidy rate until the resident is assessed.

• Class 98 – $216.80 (entry for palliative care)
• Class 99 – $117.07 (permanent care)
• Class 100 – $87.59 (respite care)

Once assessed, residents’ AN‑ACC classifications will replace default classifications, with payment adjusted accordingly. Find more information in these resources:

• What is AN-ACC and how will it work?
• How do I calculate my AN-ACC care funding?
• What is AN-ACC Class 1 (Admit for Palliative Care)?

Palliative care entry arrangements under AN-ACC

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, providers with prospective residents meeting the AN‑ACC Class 1 (Admit for Palliative Care) eligibility criteria can apply for this AN‑ACC class before the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) starts on 1 October 2022. This will ensure the facility will receive the AN‑ACC Class 1 payment for eligible residents from 1 October 2022, and that those residents will not need an AN‑ACC assessment.

Visit the palliative care webpage and read these fact sheets for more information:

• approved providers
• medical and nurse practitioners
• individuals.

Note that AN‑ACC Class 1 applies only to residents who enter a facility to receive palliative care. When an existing resident becomes palliative and their care needs have changed significantly since their last classification, providers should submit a reclassification request via the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal.

Webinar recording: Consumer Experience Interviews

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, on 29 August, 730 individuals attended the Consumer Experience Interviews (CEIs) webinar. This webinar was an opportunity for providers to learn how the information collected from the CEIs contribute to an aged care home’s overall Star Ratings. A recording of the webinar is now available on the department's website. You can find more information about the Consumer Experience Interviews program on the department’s website.

Consultation now open: The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority’s Towards an Aged Care Pricing Framework

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) will provide independent costing and pricing advice for aged care services to the Australian Government. IHACPA’s consultation paper offers stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the development of its Pricing Framework for Australian Aged Care Services 2023‑24. Submit your response by 5pm AEDT Friday 14 October. Find more information on the IHACPA website.

More scholarships for aged care nursing, care, allied health staff

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, applications for 400 scholarships for personal care workers and nurses undertaking vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to aged care, leadership and management have opened.

Aged care nursing and allied health scholarships now open

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, aged care scholarship applications are open to nurses, personal care workers and allied health professionals working in aged care. Applications for all scholarships are open until Monday 10 October. For more information visit the Australian College of Nursing website.

Verifying your specialised services to help diverse older Australians find the care they need

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, providers who deliver specialised services to diverse older Australians, including people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, can now apply to have their specialisation claims verified by an independent assessor Learn more on the department’s website.

Safe and inclusive care for Forgotten Australians

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, Helping Hand Aged Care offers free presentations to aged care organisations on Safe and Inclusive Care for Forgotten Australians and other Trauma Survivors. To participate, contact Meg Schwarz on 0418 976 129 or mschwarz@helpinghand.org.au

Better support needed for aged care providers to adopt new technology

According to Hello Care, aged care providers are experiencing mixed results with new technology and management systems and require better support to reach success, according to CompliSpace’s annual aged care workforce report.

Legislation

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Financial Information) Principles 2022 [CTH] – commenced 7 Sep 2022

This instrument amends the Accountability Principles 2014, Fees and Payments Principles 2014 (No. 2) and the Information Principles 2014 to increase the financial transparency of approved providers of aged care, enable the Australian Government to better monitor providers and clarify permitted uses of refundable deposits and accommodation bonds.

Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 [CTH] – passed House of Representatives 8 Sep 2022

The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 seeks to amend the Aged Care Act 1997 (Aged Care Act) to implement a series of urgent measures that will give older Australians the dignity and respect they deserve. These amendments are intended to enable meaningful, practical improvements to the delivery of aged care services and to provide greater oversight and understanding of what funds are being used for. These measures put the quality of care and safety of older Australians first.