Diversity Action Plans now available
Under the Aged Care Diversity Framework, a range of action plans were launched by the department in February 2019.
The action plans aim to assist providers and consumers to address specific barriers and challenges faced by:
- older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
- lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, and intersex elders.
The action plan for older people from CALD backgrounds is available in 27 languages for consumers.
Hard copies of the action plans are available to be ordered by emailing Health@nationalmailing.com.au.
Update on the Specialist Dementia Care Program
The Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) will provide care for people who exhibit very severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, who are unable to be effectively cared for by mainstream aged care services.
A prototype SDCP unit has opened in Perth at The Village residential aged care facility in Inglewood. This prototype unit is being operated by Brightwater Care Group and will inform the SDCP model as the program is rolled out more broadly.
Referrals to the prototype SDCP unit are open for people in the Perth North PHN region. Eligibility requirements can be found in the SDCP Framework on the department’s website.
For more information on the referral process please visit the Dementia Support Australia website.
The grant opportunity round for phase one of the program has now been finalised. Negotiations are underway with seven aged care providers across six Primary Health Network regions - Adelaide, Australian Capital Territory, Brisbane North, Brisbane South, North Western Melbourne and North Queensland. It is expected this phase of units will start operating from April 2020.
REMINDER to have your say on the Serious Incident Response Scheme
A reminder to residential aged care providers that feedback on a Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is due on Friday 4 October 2019.
The feedback will assist in the development of the finer details of a SIRS and inform further advice to government on structure and operation, legislative requirements and resourcing implications.
Have your say on the department’s Consultation Hub by:
- completing the online survey OR
- uploading a submission.
Residential Aged Care Funding Reform update
A recent Request for Tender sought assessment management organisation/s to provide an independent external workforce for the duration of the trial. Tenderers will be notified of the outcome shortly.
Once organisation/s are engaged, trial sites will be selected from amongst the more than 850 residential aged care facilities, or 70,000 places, who nominated to participate. Thank you to all facilities who expressed an interest to take part in the trial.
Further information, including an updated fact sheet is available on the department’s website.
If you have any questions that are not addressed by the fact sheet please email ResiFundingTrial@health.gov.au.