The Australian Government Department of Health is currently delivering $18.3 billion in aged care reforms together with the aged care sector. Our vision is for aged care services to be accessible, high quality and to care for senior Australians with respect and dignity.
In this issue, read about the progress made a year on from the Aged Care Royal Commission’s final report and the appointment of more aged care specialists at Services Australia centres to help seniors connect with the aged care system.
Please share this newsletter with your networks, and encourage them to subscribe. You can also visit the Engagement Hub to get involved in the aged care reforms.
Progress one year on from Aged Care Royal Commission’s Final Report
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety provided a unique opportunity to improve the quality, safety and choice in aged care for senior Australians.
A year on from the commission’s final report, key progress has been made under the Australian Government’s 5 year, $18.3 billion commitment, including:
- face-to-face assistance for seniors at Services Australia centres with coverage at all 80 services by December 2022
- $10 per resident daily supplement to improve residential care, especially nutrition
- 33,800 new training places and 115 nursing scholarships
- a 25% increase in access to home care and a significant reduction in waiting times.
Read the one-year anniversary media release issued by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck.
Help us bring about meaningful, once-in-a-generation change to aged care by visiting agedcareengagement.health.gov.au
Get involved: Residential aged care services encouraged to pilot new quality measures
Don’t miss the chance to help shape additional quality indicators for the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program by participating in the pilot.
Residential aged care services are encouraged to participate in a 6 week pilot starting in mid‑March 2022. The pilot will test quality indicators for activities of daily living, continence, hospitalisations and workforce, and measures for consumer experience and quality of life.
Register your interest.
You can find more information on the project website or contact QIpilotresidentialcare@au.pwc.com
My Aged Care specialists face-to-face at new locations
More communities can now access personalised support at Services Australia service centres to help navigate and connect with the aged care system. The My Aged Care face-to-face service has expanded to these new locations:
- Bundaberg
- Busselton
- Cheltenham
- Geelong
- Hervey Bay
- Mildura
- Nowra
- Ringwood
- South Brisbane
- Wagga Wagga
- Warrnambool
- Woodridge
- Woy Woy
Appointments to sit down with an Aged Care Specialist Officer can be made by visiting a participating service centre or phoning 1800 227 475.
The My Aged Care face-to-face service will expand to 80 locations by December 2022. This will include 10 Aged Care Specialist Officers providing outreach support in rural and regional areas.
For a list of all locations, and more information about the face-to-face service, visit the Services Australia website.
UK and Ireland job fairs to showcase Australian nursing opportunities
With international borders opening up again, Australian aged care providers can now look overseas to grow their nursing workforce.
Health Care Job Fairs in the United Kingdom and Ireland will give Australian aged care providers the opportunity to remotely exhibit job vacancies.
Build your own directly sourced talent pool of workers without the expense of overseas travel or accommodation.
Don’t wait – job fairs for 2022 kick off from this Saturday 12 March. Find out more and sign up on the Health Care Job Fair website.
Applications closing soon: Business Improvement Fund Round 2
Applications for the Business Improvement Fund Round 2 close at 2pm AEDT on 30 March 2022.
The Business Improvement Fund provides financial assistance to eligible residential aged care providers experiencing financial challenges.
The grant aims to support small to medium-size providers located in regional, rural and remote areas with limited access to other financial support.
Providers must submit an independent Business Advisory Service review, at their cost, as part of the application.
For more information and to submit your application form, refer to Grant Opportunity GO5325, visit the GrantConnect website.
COVID-19 antiviral oral treatment added to PBS
Lagevrio®, one of the first oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19, has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and is now available for eligible residents and patients through community pharmacies, with a prescription.
Lagevrio® has been found to be effective in treating mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who don’t require supplemental oxygen, and are at increased risk of progression to hospitalisation or death.
The Australian Government has already rolled out Lagevrio® to all residential aged care facilities to support timely administration of the treatment.
Where possible, existing supplies should be used first prior to accessing the medication from pharmacies.
Find out more about the Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) PBS listing, and other COVID-19 oral treatments.
Webinar offers CHSP providers tips on vision loss
Vision Australia is presenting a webinar on Thursday 24 March from 2 to 3pm AEDT on how providers in the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can support Australians experiencing vision loss.
The webinar will cover tips on:
- how to ensure vision-impaired clients are safe and comfortable when receiving services in their home
- practical ways to help people with low vision in social and community settings
- strategies to ensure programs are inclusive.
This session will help providers interact confidently and respectfully with vision-impaired clients to continue to support them to live independently.
Keep home care provider service information up to date
It is important for Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Home Care Package Program providers to update their service information in the My Aged Care portal. This ensures accurate information is available through the My Aged Care Find a provider tool, enabling the contact centre and assessors to make appropriate referrals.
Providers are also reminded to update outlet details in the portal to reflect accurate location-based phone numbers, rather than just listing head office numbers. This makes sure consistent, accurate information is available to help clients understand what services are available and where they are located.