Reminder: Provider operations reports due by 31 October
A reminder for residential and home care providers. Provider Operations information for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 is due by 31 October 2023.
To report, please use the Provider Operations Collection Form, through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
Transition care providers are also required to provide this information, but it will be collected through the existing Transition Care Annual Accountability Report.
For more information
- provider operations reporting requirements: Strengthening provider governance in aged care.
- using GPMS, including help and trouble-shooting: Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
New standards for data collection and reporting
A new set of data standards, Aged Care National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) are available to software vendors, developers and providers. The NMDS is a core set of standardised data elements for the collection and reporting of aged care data. New data standards for aged care will be progressively released as part of the NMDS each year.
Releasing the NMDS gives software vendors and providers early notice of the data standards that will apply from July 2024. There is no immediate action needed other than being aware of what is coming.
Having standards across our aged care data systems will give older people, care providers and services, government and researchers the data they need to make informed decisions and choices.
For more information visit Data improvements - AIHW Gen.
Webinar: Digital transformation tech talk
The Department of Health and Aged Care's Digital Transformation program is working to create a better-connected aged care network, that is consolidated, sustainable, automated, and modern.
We are inviting you to join us for an ongoing conversation via the Digital Transformation Tech Talk webinar series.
When: Thursday 7 September, 2 pm (AEST)
At the webinar we will:
- share an update on the department’s broader data and digital strategy
- hear from the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA)
- provide a playback on some of our key digital transformation initiatives
- answer your questions live.
Register for the webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk.
Webinar series: Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing is hosting a free webinar series for aged care staff to learn more about working with culturally and linguistically diverse older people, their families, carers and advocates.
The webinars run until June 2024 with a range of expert speakers covering topics including:
- Accessing Diverse Media on 29 August 2023
- Supporting a Culturally Diverse Workforce on 26 September 2023
For registered nurses, the webinars can be counted as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to meet the CPD registration standard. Participating in these webinars will assist you in providing culturally safe, appropriate, and inclusive care.
Register for the webinar series now
You can also watch webinars from the 2022–23 series presented by the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing.
Webinar: Delirium and trauma in older adults’ lives
The Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults will hold a free webinar on the symptoms of trauma in older adults.
Psychiatrist and inaugural director of Psychosocial Cancer Care at St Vincent’s Hospital and Caritas Christi – Dr Di Clifton, will outline the symptoms of delirium and trauma in older adults.
When: Friday 1 September, 4.45–6 pm (AEST)
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 includes clinical examples of manifestations of trauma in delirium and the impact of trauma on older adults.
Register for the webinar: delirium and trauma in older adults’ lives.
Stocktake on the design of residential aged care accommodation
We are seeking information from aged care providers on the current design of residential aged care accommodation and invite you to review the design of your existing home(s).
This will help us consider what is required to support implementation of the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, ahead of their introduction in 2024.
The stocktake is open to all residential aged care services, including Multi-Purpose Services Program and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.
Provide your input now on our Consultation Hub.
Responses are due by 3 October 2023.
Residents’ Experience Survey: Your turn to have a say
The 2023 round of the Residents’ Experience Survey (RES) is progressing well. Over 70 per cent of services have already completed their surveys.
To make sure the RES is a positive experience for residents and residential aged care staff, we’re keen to hear your feedback about what’s working well and what we could improve next time.
HealthConsult is conducting an independent evaluation of the 2023 RES. They are inviting residential aged care staff to provide feedback via the Residential Aged Care Home’s Staff Survey. It includes 10 questions and will take less than 10 minutes to complete.
We thank everyone who has participated in the RES so far and appreciate the support providers are showing for this important initiative.
More information is available on the Residents’ Experience Surveys webpage.
Consultation: pricing framework for residential aged care services closing soon
Have you submitted your feedback on the Pricing Framework for Australian Residential Aged Care Services?
This consultation is an opportunity for you to have your say on the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority’s (IHACPA) pricing framework for 2024–25. This will inform IHACPA’s annual pricing advice to government for residential aged care and residential respite services.
We want to hear from providers and their employees, as well as people who use aged care services or support a person in aged care, so please share this information.
The consultation closes on Thursday 31 August 2023 at 5 pm (AEST).
To make a submission, visit open consultations on the IHACPA website.
Webinar: Mandatory care minutes for residential aged care
We are hosting a webinar to support the residential aged care sector ahead of care minutes targets becoming mandatory on 1 October 2023.
When: Tuesday 5 September 2023, 2–3 pm (AEST)
This webinar will include information on:
- mandatory care minutes targets
- reporting assessments
- responsibilities of providers to meet targets
- how providers can prepare.
The webinar will include a live Q&A and you can also submit a question when you register. The webinar recording and presentation slides will be published on our website.
Register for the webinar: Mandatory Care Minutes
COVID-19: PPE pack deployment
The 2023 summer supply of bulk personal protective equipment (PPE) packs from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) will be deployed from early September. The process will begin with rural and remote locations.
All residential aged care homes will be contacted by DHL, the NMS logistics provider, to confirm delivery arrangements and details. Residential providers should confirm delivery arrangements within 2 business days of being contacted.
If you do not want this PPE supply, please let DHL know when called.
If you have not been contacted by DHL by 30 September, email: AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@Health.gov.au.
See our website for information on provider responsibilities and PPE pack items.