In this consultation we asked for feedback on:
- proposed indicators
- which indicators are a priority
- how we can best introduce quality indicators for in-home aged care services.
We heard from a range of people and organisations, including:
- aged care providers
- aged care participants, their families, representatives and carers
- industry organisations
- nursing, palliative and allied health professionals
- technology companies
- all levels of government.
We received feedback through:
- 308 people who completed our survey
- 28 written responses to our public consultation paper.
Insights from this consultation will help us develop how the new indicators will work.
What we heard
Overall, people supported a QI Program for in-home aged care services. They viewed it as a positive step towards measuring and monitoring the health and wellbeing of people accessing in-home aged care services.
Key findings
Consultation participants agreed:
- The development of a QI Program for in-home aged care is important.
- Consumer experience, service delivery and care planning, and quality of life were the most important domains to pilot.
- A step-by-step approach to implementation was useful – starting with a small number of indicators and growing over time, was useful.
- Providers would need technology assistance, training, clear guidance, and enough time to properly prepare for the QI program.
Many people agreed the program should apply to all in-home aged care service types.
What we're doing
We engaged HealthConsult to run a 12-week pilot from early October 2024 to test the proposed quality indicators.
Feedback received from the consultation informed the government's pilot to test the priority indicators, including:
- designing how we test the proposed indicators
- seeking participation from the sector
- collecting data
- obtaining feedback.
The planning stage and pilot will help ensure the indicators work well for different types of providers and aged care participants.
Outcomes of the consultation and pilot will inform recommendations on the implementation of the QI Program for Support at Home.