On 11 April 2022 the Australian Government assumed a caretaker role. The Government is now operating in accordance with the Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2022 federal election. Information on Caretaker Conventions is available at http://www.pmc.gov.au/caretaker
In this issue, celebrate International Nurses Day, read about the Workforce Action Plan, and find out about the Quarterly Financial Report..
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.
Workforce Action Plan: Growing, skilling and enabling the aged care workforce
The Aged Care Workforce Action Plan: 2022–2025 was released on 29 March 2022. It outlines actions to address workforce shortages.
These actions are across 3 goals: growing, skilling and enabling the aged care workforce to deliver safe, high quality care for senior Australians.
The plan outlines 40 initiatives led by government agencies across different portfolios, and details what each initiative is to achieve and commencement dates.
The success of the Aged Care Workforce Action Plan requires the collective action of everyone involved in aged care. This includes the workforce, consumers, providers, peak bodies, education and training providers, and state and territory governments.
The plan sits alongside the National Care and Support Workforce Strategy for aged care, disability support and veterans’ care.
Quarterly Financial Report and template
The Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) is scheduled to commence from 1 July 2022, with a due date of 4 November 2022 for the first quarter.
It was developed in consultation with finance managers and CFOs and applies to residential and home care providers.
The QFR will be used to:
- track, monitor and benchmark the sector
- provide information for the star rating system to help senior Australians make informed choices
- help with policy planning and development
- monitor direct care minutes and inform the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) pricing model.
Find information about the QFR and review the template on the Forms Administration website.
Technical help will be available through webinars and a helpdesk. For feedback or questions email ffbconsultations@health.gov.au
Celebrate International Nurses Day – 12 May
The University of Wollongong and the University of Canberra invite you to join them on International Nurses Day (12 May 2022) to celebrate the outstanding work of nurses who care for older people.
Speakers from the health sector, aged care and academia will highlight some of the great work undertaken in the field, and announce the recipient of the 2022 Pamela Jane Nye Working Nurse Scholarship.
This event is open to anyone who wants to recognise the important role of nurses in maintaining the health and wellbeing of older Australians.
Register for the free Zoom webinar.
Supporting bereaved family members with the Australian Death Notification Service
The Australian Death Notification Service (ADNS) is a free national service that allows family members to notify multiple organisations of a death using a single online notification. My Aged Care has partnered with the ADNS along with 60 other organisations across government, utility, banking, insurance and superannuation industries.
As a trusted source of support and information, aged care providers can help connect grieving families with the ADNS when a family member passes away.
ADNS flyers are available to share with your care recipients and their loved ones. To order, email adns.bdm@customerservice.nsw.gov.au, including your postal address and the number of flyers you would like.
Find out more about how ADNS works with My Aged Care, or read more on the ADNS website.
Expansion of the Aged Care Transition to Practice Program
The Aged Care Transition to Practice (ACTTP) Program has expanded.
It now offers streams for newly graduated enrolled nurses, and experienced registered nurses who are new to the aged care sector.
Newly graduated registered nurses continue to be eligible for the program.
The ACTTP Program supports new aged care nurses with mentorship and training.
Read more information, including how to participate in the ACTTP Program, on the department’s website.
My Aged Care: When did you last review your details?
Did you know the information in the Find a Provider tool comes directly from the information you enter in the Provider Portal?
You should regularly review your information to ensure it’s up to date and displaying correctly.
If you identify information that needs updating, you can make these changes via the Provider Portal. Updates usually appear the next day in the Find a Provider tool.
To help you keep your information in the Find a Provider tool up to date, see the service provider profile tips, and refer to the provider resources for guidance on how to make changes in the Provider Portal.
Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program (NSW)
Would you know what to do if someone you support was experiencing thoughts of suicide?
Anglicare’s Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program equips aged care workers with the knowledge to help prevent suicide.
The free program includes a general suicide prevention online course followed by a workshop contextualising the training for seniors. Both sections should only take about 3 hours to complete.
The program is funded by the NSW Government. To be eligible, you need to be working with older people and based in NSW.
If you are interested, please email Program Coordinator Nancy Gewargis at nancy.gewargis@anglicare.org.au or visit the Anglicare website.
Specialist Dementia Care Program Grant Opportunity closing soon
Applications for the Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) Phase Two Grant opportunity close at 2pm AEST, Friday 13 May 2022.
Residential aged care providers located within the following nine PHN regions are invited to apply:
- New South Wales: Hunter, New England and Central Coast; Central and Eastern Sydney; South Eastern NSW
- Western Australia: Perth South
- Victoria: Eastern Melbourne; Western Victoria
- South Australia: Adelaide
- Tasmania (northern and southern regions only)
- Australian Capital Territory.
Further grant rounds for remaining PHN regions will be held over the next two years.
Information about the SDCP Grant Opportunity (GO 5304), including the link to the recent webinar and frequently asked questions, is available on the GrantConnect website.
Assessment pathway changes for younger people in residential care
We are working to ensure no younger person (under 65 years of age) lives in residential aged care unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The aged care assessment pathway for younger people seeking access to Australian Government-funded aged care services has changed. Younger people will have support to explore alternative accommodation and support options more suitable to their care needs. This includes testing their eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), where appropriate.
Assessment pathway guidance is in the Principles and guidelines for a younger person’s access to Commonwealth funded aged care services.
Find out more about the government’s priority actions for younger people in residential aged care.
Pilot: Monthly Care Statements
From 1 July 2022, aged care residents and residential aged care providers can volunteer to participate in a pilot program on Monthly Care Statements in Residential Aged Care.
The intent of monthly care statements to residents is to outline any significant changes or events that altered their clinical care during the month.
This pilot will ensure residents and providers are involved in the content and design of the statements. It will help guide implementation of the program to improve the delivery of care and relationships between providers and residents.
Survey open now: In-home care service list
The department wants to better understand which services you think should be included on a future service list for in-home aged care.
Your feedback is important to us. Complete a short survey to share your view.
Please share the survey link with others, so they can have their say too.
The survey closes 24 May 2022. If you have any questions about the survey, please email careathome@health.gov.au
Report distribution of unspent funds on care recipient monthly statement
Home care providers are encouraged to begin reporting the distribution of Home Care Package unspent funds on the care recipient monthly statement for the current and previous payment periods. This will ensure that the amount of funds available to pay for care and services is fully transparent to care recipients.
Unspent funds include the:
- provider-held care recipient portion
- provider-held Commonwealth portion
- home care account balance.
Home care providers are encouraged to use the department’s Better Practice Home Care Package Monthly Statement template and supporting provider and consumer documentation to improve the quality of statements.