Building better technology for aged care
To support aged care reforms, new IT solutions are being developed to make it easier for users to access and share information.
Over the coming months you’ll hear more about the Government Provider Management System (GPMS), a new IT system that will allow for greater connectivity and data sharing between care providers and government.
We’ll be releasing the GPMS in stages as functionality becomes available.
To prepare for the GPMS, please ensure that your organisation admin contact details are up-to-date at all times in the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal.
Governing bodies: Independent non-executive members
The governing body of an approved aged care provider plays a key role in ensuring that consumers get safe and quality care and services.
From 1 December 2023, unless the responsibilities do not apply, one of the requirements for the governing body is that it must have a majority of independent non-executive members.
Non-executives are generally not otherwise employed by the provider as a member of the executive team.
Approved providers need to consider the independence of proposed members and whether the person’s interests, positions and relationships enable them to bring independent judgement on issues considered by the governing body.
Read further information about independence on a governing body.
Know your Code: Online learning for aged care workers
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has developed a series of resources for aged care workers on the Code of Conduct for Aged Care.
The online learning module ‘Know your Code’ helps aged care workers to:
- identify the Code and the 8 elements
- recognise who the Code applies to and their responsibilities
- apply the Code elements to aged care scenarios
- recognise the role of the Commission in upholding the Code
- identify the consequences of failing to comply with the Code.
Access to the Commission’s online learning is free for all employees of Commonwealth-funded aged care providers.
For further information and to register visit the Commission’s website.
Consultation: Needs of CALD older people in regional NSW/ACT
The Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) NSW and ACT program will be consulting with aged care providers, key stakeholders and community leaders on the needs of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in regional and rural NSW and the ACT, as part of the PICAC program funded by the department.
Register to participate for online or in-person sessions:
- Katoomba, 10am–12pm AEDT on Wednesday 15 March
- Forster, 10am–12pm AEST on Tuesday 18 April
- Mudgee, 10am–12pm AEST on Thursday 20 April
- Griffith, 10am–12pm AEST on Tuesday 16 May
- Canberra, 10am–12pm AEST on Thursday 18 May
For more information contact the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra on 02 4229 7566 or visit the website.
Webinar: Cognitive behavioural therapy for older adults
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for their upcoming webinar on ageing at 4.45pm – 6pm AEDT on Friday 17 March. This webinar is for people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults.
This presentation addresses the opportunities, barriers and modifications required to provide cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to older adults with and without dementia. Research and case studies are discussed, with a particular focus on practical applications of CBT.
Find out more information and register for the webinar.
Draft legislation: Residential aged care 24/7 registered nurse reporting and exemption
Draft subordinate legislation for 24/7 registered nursing in residential aged care exemption and reporting arrangements can now be viewed online until 13 March 2023.
If you would like to comment on the draft legislation, email anaccoperations@health.gov.au by 13 March. Your comments will be considered in the finalisation of the subordinate legislation.
Read more information about Care minutes and 24/7 registered nurses in residential aged care.
Webinar: New quality indicators for residential aged care
New quality indicators must be collected by residential aged care services from 1 April 2023 to help monitor and drive quality improvement.
A webinar on the 6 new quality indicators for residential aged care will be held on Tuesday 28 March at 2pm-3pm AEDT.
The webinar will help providers:
- understand the new quality indicators
- learn more about the specific assessment tools and reporting requirements
- access a range of new resources and quality improvement materials.
The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session answering common provider queries and participant questions.