If you feel like you and your service are under a spotlight, it may be because you are!
Increased transparency is going to be a focus for both Home Care and Residential Care Providers with financial information published on My Aged Care by the end of February, so it's important to preview your information now if you haven't already. This can be done through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) until 15 February 2024.
Additionally, Residential providers have two weeks to preview updated Star ratings before they are published. The Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission will also be conducting prudential compliance audits for residential providers with a history of late financial submissions.
More information and quick links can be found in this newsletter.
Content Summary
Latest CDCS Videos & Blog Posts
We have some great new posts coming from next week. In the meantime this popular post on progress notes was updated recently and has some key tips that you or your team may find helpful.
11 Ways to Make Your Progress Notes Better
This popular post has been updated to include additional information. In this series on documentation, we have looked at ways to capture information that should be documented and also when to document.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
Aged Discrimination Commissioner
Robert Fitzgerald will commence in the position of Aged Discrimination Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission in April 2024.
Publishing of aged care provider finance and operations information
Before the end of February, the Department of Health and Aged Care will publish information about the finances and operations of residential aged care and home care providers. Providers will be able to preview this information before publication.
The finance and operations information will be published on My Aged Care using the ‘Find a Provider’ tool. This will include:
- breakdowns of income, expenses and surplus or deficit budget positions
- minimum, maximum and average hourly wage rates for registered nurses, enrolled nurses and personal care workers
- feedback, complaints and improvements
- activities to support a diverse and inclusive environment
- diversity of the provider's governing body
- service provision and use
- food preparation
- information from the provider's governing body about whether the provider meets its requirements under aged care legislation
Government Provider Management System (GPMS)
In addition to the Provider Preview being offered until 15 February 2024 (see introduction), Residential providers will have Staffing and Quality Measures ratings data available for Quarter 1 2023-24 (July-September 2023), Residents’ Experience ratings for services that completed the annual survey between September – October 2023, and contemporary Compliance ratings.
Now is your opportunity to familiarise yourselves with how the information will appear on My Aged Care and investigate any issues.
Workforce support for Rural and Remote communities
Support for aged care providers in rural and remote areas delivering aged care in rural and remote settings is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care's website, with information and resources to help providers attract, train, and maintain their workforce.
Assessment Tool update
The results of the Report on Trial of Integrated Assessment Tool, which will be used in the Single Assessment system from July 2024 are available and an updated version was published on 8 February 2024.
Volunteers Visitors Scheme
Don’t forget that the Volunteers Visitors Scheme (VVS) is available to arrange regular visits to a person living at home or in residential care. The VVS excludes CHSP persons.
Legislation Updates
New Aged Care Act
A copy of the New Aged Care Act Resources is available. Submit your comments and feedback by 16 February 2024.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has also been conducting workshops across the country about the new Aged Care Act, with only a couple more left this month. For more information and to provide feedback follow this link.
Reports Due
- 24/7 registered nurse (RN) report was due by 7 February 2024
- QFR Q2 – Oct-Dec 2023 report is due by 14 February 2024
- Influenza vaccination reporting due. Submissions close on 29 February 2024
COVID Updates
General information on COVID advice in residential care was updated in December 2023.
Information for Residential Care and In-Home Care on the Government Support for Providers and Workers, including the Outbreak Management Supplement commencing 1 February 2024 to 31 December 2024, is available.
Home Care Updates
Mandatory Quality Indicators for Home Care
A pilot is commencing in South Australia soon to evaluate the draft Mandatory Quality Indicators for Home Care. Watch this space for further information.
Residential Care Updates
Registered Nurses – Provider Compliance
In the CDCS January newsletter, we mentioned that the commission had begun requesting information on provider compliance with their responsibilities when a Registered Nurse is not on-site and on duty. The commission has updated the Workforce Related Responsibilities Bulletin, which includes 24/7 RN responsibilities. Be sure to review this document along with your internal policies and procedures.
Prudential Compliance Audits
Reminder: Over the next two months, the Commission will be conducting prudential compliance audits for those providers with a history of late financial submissions.
Residents' Experience Survey
The 2024 Residents’ Experience Survey (RES) will run through until October 2024. Further information for the Residents Experience Survey and Guide for Providers is available.
Break-ins – Safety and Security Provider Obligations
Given recent reported break-ins where older Australians have been confronted by intruders, residential providers are reminded of their obligations regarding the safety and security of people in their care. Some tips provided by the Commission include:
- encouraging residents to lock all doors and windows
- making it harder for intruders to get in without being seen – this can include cutting overgrown bushes and trees and installing CCTV
- reporting suspicious behaviour to the police immediately
- not allowing entry to (or escorting off the premises) anyone unwilling to identify themselves or unable to provide a plausible reason for being at the service.
Consultation on 3 new staffing quality indicators
The Department has commenced Consultation on three new NQIs, closing on 5 March 2024.
Click here for further information.
Department and Commission Newsletter Links
If you haven't subscribed for Department updates, you can do so by clicking here to subscribe.
If you’re not already signed up, we recommend clicking through and signing up for the Commission’s valuable newsletter.
Reading
Did you know that Dementia Support Australia provides support on a 24-hour helpline 1800 699 799? This is a great source of advice and support for home and residential aged care providers.
The latest aged care Sector Performance Report is now available. The report includes data from 1 July to 30 September 2023 (Quarter 1 2023–24).
The quality of care delivered to residents in long-term care in Australia: an indicator-based review of resident records (CareTrack Aged study)
CDCS Roundup for Busy People Newsletter
If you have others in your team who would benefit from our monthly aged care roundup for busy people – they can sign up here.
Industry Training, Webinars & Events
New Aged Care Act Consultation Workshops
There are a few remaining consultation Workshops for the draft new Aged Care Act until 14 February. Register here.
Finding Staff Webinar
Wednesday 14th February, 1:00pm (AEDT)
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is holding an “Effective Job Ads, finding great staff” webinar. Hear industry and employer guest speakers share practical strategies and the benefits of effective job ads to find great staff.
Register here.
Supporting older people experiencing vision loss
Vision Australia are hosting two webinar sessions for in-home care providers who support older people experiencing vision loss.
- Wednesday 14th February, 1:00pm (AEDT) – Register here.
- Wednesday 21st February, 1:00pm (AEDT) – Register here.
Dementia: food, nutrition and dining – Webinar
Thursday 22nd February, 2:30-3:30pm (AEDT)
ACQ&SC is hosting the fifth webinar in their Food, Nutrition and Dining series, focusing on how aged care providers and staff can support those with dementia to eat and drink well.
Registration links are usually available 2 weeks in advance.
Expanding the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program – Webinar
Monday 26th February, 2:00-3:00pm
Tuesday 27th February, 11:00am-12:00pm
Two webinars will be held to publicise the QI Program, describe the pilot and address any questions from prospective participants.
Register here.
Restrictive Practices – Session 1
Monday 26th February, 2:00-3:00pm (AEDT)
ACQ&SC is presenting a webinar on Restrictive Practices. Refer to the Commission Webinars page when the link to register becomes available.
Draft new Aged Care Act consultation – Q&A panel discussion – Recording
If you missed it, the New Aged Care Act Q&A Webinar Recording from 18th January is available for viewing.
Free Training Opportunity for Frontline Care Staff
Monash is now offering free training opportunities to help upskill frontline care staff across key areas of mental health, aged care and general healthcare. Accessing these courses may help organisations throughout the healthcare sector attract and retain skilled staff, and improve patient outcomes.
Eligible staff can complete one (or more) of the Undergraduate Certificates listed here on Monash University's website with full funding support i.e. no HECS debt, no fees payable.
International Dementia Conference 2024
The International Dementia Conference 2024 will be held on 5-6 September 2024 at the Hilton, Sydney. Submissions/papers close on 15 March 2024. The themes topics and submission links can be found here.
Ongoing workshops provided by the ACQ&SC
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission develops a range of educational resources and workshops for aged care providers, in-home services and residential services that assist in understanding what compliance looks like.
You can find these courses listed on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website under the Education tab.
Funding Opportunities
Grant Reference
Name of Grant
Closing Date
For more information on any of these grants, refer to the GrantConnect website.
SDAP – Services Development Assistance Panel
Don’t forget, if you are an aged care provider (residential or community care) operating in rural or remote locations, you may be eligible for support through the Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP).
CDCS has been a panel member since the inception of this program in 2010 and has supported over 40 aged care services with compliance, business development, training and resource development.
Get an idea of what can be done with SDAP.
Further information is available on the Department’s website, including the application form, or by emailing sdap@health.gov.au.
Jobs in Aged Care
Position
Organisation & Location
Closing Date
NOTE: If you have a position that you would like us to promote, please hit ‘reply’ to this email so we can include it in the next newsletter and/or post on our Facebook page: CDCS – Culturally Directed Care Solutions.
New In The TQP Members Resource Area
With our team taking a break over the Christmas and New Year period, there are no new or updated resources for January, but next month's newsletter will list new resources as we get back into the swing of things!
If you don't have access to the TQP and you’re looking for comprehensive, industry-specific policies, procedures and work instructions that have been used successfully by dozens of aged care providers, helping them to easily pass quality reviews and stay compliant, then take a look at the Total Quality Package.
TQP Live Training & Replays
TQP Members get complimentary access to regular LIVE training and education sessions. These are aimed at the coordination and management level and address trending issues and topics. Recordings are available in the TQP to revisit whenever you need – just like having your very own ‘Aged Care Netflix!’ 😁
We hope you have found this edition helpful; feel free to share it with others who may be interested. If you have any feedback or questions, please let us know by emailing us at info@cdcs.com.au.
Please get in contact with us if you need support and we’ll catch up with you again next month.
Donna, Carrie & the CDCS Team
- April 2024 - April 12, 2024
- February/March 2024 - March 8, 2024
- January/February 2024 - February 9, 2024
