Launch of the 2023 Residents’ Experience Surveys
Residents’ Experience Surveys (previously known as Consumer Experience Interviews) are due to commence from February 2023.
This offers older people in residential aged care the opportunity to share feedback about the quality of care they receive. Their responses will inform the Residents’ Experience Rating in Star Ratings, which can be viewed on My Aged Care.
On behalf of the department, IQVIA in a consortium with Access Care Network Australia and Health Consult, will shortly commence contacting residential aged care homes to schedule the visit to conduct the Residents’ Experience Surveys.
The 14 pre-set questions have been updated this year to reflect resident feedback. The department will provide a copy of the 2023 questions in the coming weeks.
Read more information about Residents’ Experience Surveys.
Last chance: Have your say on the National Dementia Action Plan
Do you know or care for a person living with dementia? Public consultation for the National Dementia Action Plan closes on Tuesday 31 January, and we need your feedback.
The Action Plan’s vision is for Australians to better understand dementia and help people living with dementia and their carers to have the best possible quality of life.
The 10-year National Dementia Action Plan is a joint initiative between the Australian Government and state and territory governments. It will mean better coordinated approaches to dementia risk reduction, early diagnosis and improvements in services.
Visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub for more information.
Email feedback to dementiaplan@health.gov.au or call 1800 565 789.
Webinar published: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
On 15 December 2022, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission hosted a webinar on ‘Aged care sector reforms – current and what’s next?’.
The webinar provided:
- a recap of reforms introduced on 1 December 2022 – the Code of Conduct for Aged Care, SIRS in home services, changes to restrictive practices and strengthening provider governance
- a brief overview of Home Care Packages pricing changes
- an update on Star Ratings for residential aged care
- links to education and resources available for providers, workers and consumers
- information on the Commission’s assessment and monitoring process and what to expect from site visits.
The webinar recording, presentation and resources are now available on the Commission’s website.
Guiding Principles for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities updated and published
The department, in collaboration with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, has updated and published the national guiding principles to improve the quality and safety of medication management.
This update includes the Guiding Principles for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities resource collection:
- Guiding Principles for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities
- Fact sheet – Medication management in residential aged care facilities – guiding principles
- User Guide – Role of a Medication Advisory Committee
- Audit Tool and Checklist for a Medication Advisory Committee
The resources promote best practice. The application of these principles must consider relevant national, state and territory legislative requirements, profession-specific licensing/registration, codes of practice, guidelines and standards, and aged care quality and accreditation standards and requirements.
Home Care Packages Program: Update to Provider Manual
The Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Operational Provider Manual has been updated to reflect recent aged care reforms and common provider questions.
The department consulted with stakeholders in the aged care sector throughout 2021 and 2022 to inform these updates.
Key updates include clarifications on:
- HCP care and service exclusions
- capping on care and package management charges
- pricing guidance
- unspent funds
- interface with other programs such as residential care and palliative care
- Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS).
Please read the Provider Manual to ensure you are across the most up to date guidance.
Read more information about the HCP Program on the department’s website.
Quarterly Financial Report: Quarter 2 submissions due 14 February
Providers can now submit their second Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for the 2022‑23 financial year through the Forms Administration portal.
Quarter 2 submissions are due by Tuesday 14 February 2023.
QFR guides and FAQs are available on the department’s QFR webpage and Forms Administration website. A recording and presentation materials from the QFR webinar held on 8 December are also available.
If you need assistance completing the QFR call the Forms Administration helpdesk on (02) 4403 0640 or email health@formsadministration.com.au
Support for Food and Nutrition Reporting due 14 February
Mandatory Food and Nutrition Reporting is due for all residential aged care services by Tuesday 14 February 2023. This will be collected as part of Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) reporting for October to December 2022.
The department identified discrepancies in first quarter reporting from some providers, with regards to:
- reporting of on-site contract catering food and cooking ingredients
- classification of food and cooking ingredients as ‘fresh’ or ‘other’.
To avoid discrepancies we request that providers carefully read the QFR Explanatory Notes.
Accurate completion of Food and Nutrition reporting supports the department to develop informed food and nutrition policy for residents of aged care facilities.
For more information or support with completing reports email NutritioninAgedCare@health.gov.au
Reminder: Star Ratings data due soon
Star Ratings for residential aged care services will be updated from March 2023 to reflect the latest quarterly reporting of data.
Providers are reminded to submit their quarterly data as follows:
- National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program – 1 October to 31 December 2022 quarter data for the current 5 quality indicators is due by Saturday 21 January 2023.
- Quarterly Financial Report – 1 October to 31 December 2022 quarter reporting is due by Tuesday 14 February 2023 using the Forms Administration’s data collection portal.
This data will inform the March update to Star Ratings which captures data across Compliance, Residents’ Experience, Staffing and Quality Measures.
Late or non-submission of data is expected to result in a 1 Star Rating for the relevant sub-category and reduce a service’s overall Star Rating.
Reminder: Provider responsibilities to notify when a client has ceased receiving residential care
Providers are reminded that they have 28 days to notify when a client has ceased receiving residential aged care services.
Departure from care details including the reason for departure (e.g. the client is deceased) can be submitted to Services Australia through its aged care provider portal or via webservices.
These responsibilities are outlined in section 63-1BA of the Aged Care Act 1997 and section 28A of the Accountability Principles 2014.
Apply now to maintain your specialised status under AN-ACC
Approved providers of services with the following interim specialised status receive a higher rate of Base Care Tariff under the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC):
- Homeless residential care service status; or
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residential care service status.
Interim specialised status ends 31 March 2023. To maintain your specialised status beyond 31 March, lodge an application with the Department of Health and Aged Care by 28 February 2023.
Note: The My Aged Care Specialisation Verification initiative has separate requirements and does not automatically qualify an approved provider for a specialised status under AN-ACC.
Q&As now available from AN-ACC, care minutes and 24/7 nursing webinar
Q&As from the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) webinar held on 17 November 2022 are now available.
The webinar and Q&As focused on:
- recent changes to the AN-ACC funding model
- payments and claims processes
- the palliative care entry process
- 24/7 registered nurse requirement, exemption and supplement
- care minutes and funding sufficiency update.
Additional resources:
- The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Funding Guide
- 24/7 registered nurse supplement for residential aged care
- Aged care 24/7 registered nurse requirement
- Care minutes and 24/7 nursing requirements guide
Please tell us what you thought of the webinar by completing a 2-minute survey.
For further assistance, please email anaccoperations@health.gov.au