Is it just me, or do you feel like the end of the year has come flying over the hill like a three trailer roadtrain with its headlights on high beam?
Here at CDCS, we have been on the road, in the air, onsite, offsite – our feet haven't touched the ground! The end-of-year run of Commission Quality Reviews for many providers and Department announcements and webinars is certainly keeping everyone on their toes.
Last week, the announcement of the change for the CHSP transition to 2027 was welcome news to many Home Care providers.
The December newsletter has all the key links you need for the end-of-year Department updates, in case your inbox is bursting at the seams. Don’t forget, our newsletters are now also maintained in the ‘Library’ on the website – so if you don’t have time to read it now it will be there when you're ready.
From all of us here at CDCS, we wish everyone a safe and restful festive season and a Happy New Year!
Content Summary
Latest CDCS Videos & Blog Posts
To respond to the needs of those working in the industry, CDCS has a range of blog posts on our website and videos that are freely available on our YouTube channel.
How to Disaster-Proof Your Aged Care Service Before Summer Hits
As the seasons change and natural disasters become more prevalent, it’s crucial for aged care providers to ensure their emergency planning is not only up to date but tested. When the proverbial hits the fan, you want to be confident your staff and clients or residents know what to do.
In this blog post, we’ve prepared some tips for getting ready before the worst hits us.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
Emergency Risk Management Plan
Do you have your Emergency Risk Management Plan in place? Our extreme weather events have commenced already, with fires and flooding nationally and a cyclone currently forming off the coast, which is early for this time of year. There is excellent information on service continuity and emergency events in aged care to support your plans. Plus, it's good practice to complete a check of your plan against the Department's recommendations.
Summer Alert – Caring for older people responsibilities
Both residential and home care service providers need to be aware that older people, especially those with chronic or complex health conditions, are more likely to be impacted by hot weather, especially extremely hot days. Older people living in the community may also be at greater risk of heat exhaustion, especially those who live alone or have infrequent contact with other people.
The commission has also released information on the summer clinical alert: caring for older people in hot weather. This is essential reading and providers must:
- Ensure your workforce is aware of the vulnerable clients they care for
- Have a vulnerable people list
- Have an action plan in place for each vulnerable person
- Ensure staff are educated in recognising deterioration and reminding care recipients about how to keep hydrated and minimise risk from heat stress.
Aged Care in Rural and Remote Settings
On 4 December 2023 the department updated their delivering aged care in rural and remote settings page. If you are not familiar with this web page and you are located in MMM 3 to MMM 7 take a look and see what may be available to support you.
Did you know that the Rural Locum Assistance Program (LAP) supports rural and remote providers experiencing high turnover or workforce shortages by providing a locum while recruitment takes place. Locum support is also available while staff take leave and may assist you for the coming festive season with staff planned leave.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission resources
Have you heard about the commission's Good Spirit Good Life, a Quality of life tool and package (GSGL)? This resource is available from 5 December 2023 to support aged care providers in the delivery of culturally safe aged care for First Nations Peoples.
The Restrictive Practice Regulatory Bulletin 2023-21 October 2023 supersedes the previous March 2022 edition. Now's the time to check, does your Restrictive Practice Policy and Procedure require a review?
The Commission has information on the ‘Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care' program, including links to the updates on the Quality Standards Framework and piloting of the revised quality standards available on their website. There are consumer and provider fact sheets on the Commision page may also be helpful information for Consumer Advisory Bodies and for Staff updates.
Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)
Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws came into effect in New South Wales on 28 November 2023. This means VAD is now legal in all Australian States except both Territories. It can be accessed by a person if they meet the eligibility criteria in their state.
Home care and residential care services need to be prepared for what the VAD laws mean for them, their staff, and the older people in their care.
The End of Life Law – ELDAC can help you to know the law, and support your practice and delivery of quality care.
Aged Care Single Assessment System
The Aged Care Single Assessment System is due to commence from the 1st July 2024. The existing framework with the Regional Assessment Service (RAS), the Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) and the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) will be replaced by the ‘Single Assessment System'.
If your organisation is considering tendering for the delivery of aged care assessments from 1st July 2024, here is the link to see if you are eligible.
Legislation updates
Report on The Operation of the Aged Care Act
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 here.
Reports Due
Quarterly Finance Report
Q2 – Oct-Dec 2023. Report due by 14 February 2024.
The department has uploaded a new video called “The Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) – Overview of submitting your QFR on GPMS” and it is designed to familiarise and support aged care providers in submitting and managing their QFR on the GPMS platform.
COVID Updates
Latest information released by the Australian Government
- COVID-19 advice for people in residential aged care homes and visitors was updated on 4 December 2023
- Government support for providers and workers: Information on preventing and preparing for outbreaks and new supports commencing 1 January 2024
- COVID-19 vaccines | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care: Latest information on vaccination.
Home Care Updates
Support at Home program
New Support at Home program to be rolled out in 2 stages to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of care for older people.
- From 1 July 2025, Support at Home will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme.
- From no earlier than 1 July 2027, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to the new program.
Don’t forget to watch the Department’s webinar on 14 December about the New Aged Care Act and the Support at Home Program. Details are below.
Residential Care Updates
Food, Nutrition and Dining resources
We all enjoy sharing a meal with our family and friends and know how important this is for us, and totally understand this is the same for our older people. The commission has excellent resources for workers in delivering a dining experience that any of us would enjoy.
Residential Care – National Quality Indicator Program
There was an update on the NQI Program File Upload Template in early December – you can access it here.
The next NQI report is due on 21 January 2024.
Care Minutes – Error impact on some providers
On December 1st, the Department of Health and Aged Care issued an alert advising that a “data transmission issue” between Services Australia and the Department meant that the care minute targets published on My Aged Care for some aged care services were “out by a small margin.” If your service is affected, you should receive information about how to calculate your own care minutes. The Department has also published a Fact Sheet.
Monthly Care Statements (update)
There will be some updates in the new year regarding ‘Monthly Care Statements’ – so expect to see some information in the early part of 2024.
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.
In case you haven't had an opportunity to read the department's updates, here’s the December edition.
Reading
For IPC leads and those who are interested in AMS, the AURA 2023: fifth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health has been released. Click here for a 2-page summary for aged care and suggested actions.
For clinicians, this antibiotic shortages fact sheet is relevant for those who are working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. There is also an antibiotic shortages fact sheet for consumers.
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
Webinar: Human Centricity in Aged Care
Wednesday 13 December 2023, 12pm to 1pm (AEDT)
Sign up or sign in
Webinar: New Aged Care Act and Support at Home program update
Thursday 14 December 2023, 2pm AEDT to 3:30pm AEDT
Register here
Past Webinar: Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Reviews
Unspent Funds and pricing transparency on My Aged Care. If you missed this webinar held on Thursday 7 December 2023, look for the recording 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
Improving respite care for people with dementia and their carers
18 December 2023 2.00pm (ACT Local Time)
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
You’ll find a full list of the updated policies, procedures and other helpful resources that have been updated in the last month below. We're committed to helping your organisation meet compliance and deliver quality outcomes.
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.
Resource updates in the last month
Care & Case Management
Intake & Assessment
Client Care Agreement – Commonwealth Home Support Programme V4 – significantly updated
Monitoring
Client Service Plan Review V1 – new
Quality & Compliance Tools
Case Study Template V2 – updated
Toolbox Talks & Info Shares
Info Shares
Commonwealth Home Support Programme Info Share V7 – updated
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
