Sometimes life throws us unexpected events, things that come at us out of left field, things that we couldn't have anticipated. But most of the time we can and should be prepared for events that regularly occur: such as the cyclone and wet season up north when remote services can be cut off for weeks or months making roads impassable, or needing to ensure the aged care service can respond quickly and protect vulnerable clients in case of an emergency.
It's also bushfire and extreme temperature time across most of the rest of Australia and providers should have their contingency plans updated and ready to implement when needed. If you need a reminder, read through last month's updated post on disaster-proofing your aged care service.
And talking of being prepared, how prepared is your organisation for the 1st December reform requirements? Do you have your advisory bodies established or ready to go? If not, you'd better get moving…
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
Aged Care Reform Roadmap
The Aged Care Reform Roadmap was updated on 12th October 2023. There are minor changes in events added and the reform activities that had been scheduled to be rolled out in January 2024 have been pushed to February, June and July 2024. The New Aged Care Act and Revised Quality Standards remain on track for July 2024. This gives the industry a small breather for January 2024.
More regular reviews of aged care fees
Services Australia reviews home care and residential care fees to ensure you are paying the right amount. From late October 2023, Services Australia will start more regular reviews. These will generally occur monthly and will replace the Quarterly Reviews of aged care fees.
Consultation paper for the New Aged Care Act
The consultation paper for the New Aged Care Act closed in September 2023, but don't forget there is information on the New Aged Care Act when informing your team.
Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation
VAD will commence in New South Wales on 28th November 2023.
In Australia, voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws have been passed in all states. VAD laws have commenced operation in Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia.
NT does not have a VAD law. In late 2023, a Bill for VAD will be introduced to the Legislative Assembly in Canberra.
Financial Reports Due
Do you have a copy of the Aged Care Financial Reports calendar?
- The September Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) was due 4 November 2023.
Consumer Advisory Body Preparedness
Are you ready for the 1st December 2023 new requirements for the Consumer Advisory Body and Quality Care Advisory Body? Check the Strengthening Provider Governance Reforms for further details.
Introduction of Revised Quality Standards – Video
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have released a video that discusses when the revised quality standards will be implemented and the Commission's role.
Self-Assessment Tool & Audit Readiness Reviews
We've been working with a number of providers conducting pre-audit reviews, or mock audits as they are sometimes called. You can, and should be, conducting your own in-house review on a regular basis. You can simply use the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's self-assessment tool which is available for download on their website.
And if you would like to have someone from the CDCS team visit* your organisation and conduct a pre-audit readiness review, just reach out. (*can be conducted offsite if preferred).
Home Care Updates
Home Care Pricing Audit Program
The ACQSC will commence a new audit program to support home care providers. The Commission has launched a Home Care Pricing Audit Program. They will conduct audits with selected home care providers from November 2023 to June 2024. For further information check out Home Services Pricing & Agreements and Home Care Package Charges.
Home care packages Q&A Webinar
If you missed this webinar, it was a Q&A to answer questions about home care packages, including statements, fees and charges.
National Summary of Home Care Prices
The latest summary of Home Care Prices that identifies the median price for common items has been released. This is handy when reviewing your current price list.
Residential Care Updates
Registered Nurses in aged care
- The Registered nurse coverage in residential aged care by facility report was published on the 16th October 2023.
- Time to check your 24/7 registered nurse alternative clinical care arrangements against the fact sheet updated by the ACQSC.
Food and Nutrition Reporting Explanatory Notes – Quarterly Financial Report
Residential Providers, MPS and NATSIFACP Providers should have submitted their first QFR Food and Nutrition Report for the first quarter. This report helps the Department understand how providers are spending funds on food, oral nutrition supplements and nutrition services. To assist providers in completing the report the Department has released a new guide.
COVID Updates
COVID-19 advice for people in residential aged care homes and visitors
Managers, staff, family, friends and residents must work together to protect older people in aged care homes from COVID-19. Find information for aged care residents and visitors on how to keep everyone safe in residential aged care.
COVID-19 outbreak management support for aged care providers
The Australian government will provide a new outbreak management supplement to help residential aged care providers proactively plan and manage COVID-19 outbreaks, replacing the current grants process.
The supplement will support pro-active planning and outbreak preparedness and costs for all eligible residential aged care providers, including Multi-Purpose services and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) services, from January 1, 2024.
Final deployment of PPE and RAT kits will happen ahead of Christmas. Access to PPE Packs is upon request and weekly deployment of RAT kits from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) up until 30 April 2024.
For further information, watch:
- Aged care COVID-19 supports update – Webinar presentation
- COVID-19 vaccine rollout update – 27 October 2023
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.
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
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) update for providers
Thursday, 16 November 2023 – 2:00 pm to 3:00pm AEDT
This webinar for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers will cover current and future program changes and funding opportunities. It will also provide an update on the aged care reforms and what they mean for the CHSP.
Staffing obligations and mandatory care minutes – Webinar
Tuesday, 21 November 2023 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT
This webinar will put a spotlight on recent changes to providers’ obligations regarding staffing – the requirement that all residential aged care services have a registered nurse (RN) on-site and on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (from 1 July 2023) and the requirement that all residential aged care services meet care minute targets for RNs, enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing and personal care workers (from 1 October 2023).
Dementia Training
If you are looking for additional dementia training for your staff, here are some links:
- Dementia Training Australia (DTA) is a consortium funded by the Australian Government to provide nationwide education on the support and care of people living with dementia. DTA offers a range of courses and resources including e-learning, workshops, webinars and tailored training packages.
- The Dementia Centre is an impartial provider of research, consultancy and education to the dementia care community.
- Dementia Support Australia (DSA) has an extensive supply of Dementia resources, including for rural and remote support.
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
East Arnhem Regional Council, Darwin or Nhulunbuy, NT
when filled
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
Risk Planning & Operations Guides
Food Safety Plan and Guide for Aged Care V1 – new
Ebook Library
Aged Care Reforms 2023-2025 Resource Book V1 – new
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
