What’s different
The strengthened Quality Standards set expectations for providers to ensure they deliver safe and quality care. They create a shared understanding of what is expected in aged care.
The strengthened Quality Standards have been streamlined from 8 to 7 Standards, with:
- 13% of the expectations being new
- 63% clarifying current expectations
- 24% aligning to current Quality Standards.
The strengthened Quality Standards:
- are more robust and detailed
- place older people at the centre of their care
- increase protections for older people
- support people living with dementia
- better include people from diverse backgrounds
- provide stronger requirements for clinical care and food and nutrition
- use clear language
- minimise duplication
- reflect the new Statement of Rights, which will be included in the new Aged Care Act.
Each strengthened Quality Standard has:
- an intent statement to add context
- an expectation statement to outline, in first person, what older people can expect
- an outcome statement which will be enforceable in legislation
- actions that demonstrate how providers can meet the outcome.
The strengthened Quality Standards have 33 outcomes with 146 supporting actions.
Person-centred care
Older people’s voices and lived experiences are central to the strengthened Quality Standards.
There is a strong focus on:
- person-centred care
- the rights of older people
- care outcomes for older people.
This is aligned to the intent and purpose of the new Aged Care Act.
Older person’s rights
Aged care providers must have practices in place to ensure they deliver care and services that uphold the rights of older people.
The Statement of Rights defines concepts of:
- person-centred care
- privacy
- dignity and respect
- individuality and diversity
- independence
- choice and control
- culturally safe care
- dignity of risk – meaning older people have the right to live how they choose, even if their choices involve some risk.
Providers must demonstrate they understand the Statement of Rights in strengthened Quality Standard 1.
Diversity and dementia care
Additional requirements in the strengthened Quality Standards ensure the diversity of older people is better understood and considered, including those living with dementia.
Clinical care
Clinical care has its own dedicated standard – strengthened Quality Standard 5.
This Standard has been developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
It covers clinical requirements including:
- medications management
- clinical safety
- palliative care.
Governance
Providers are expected to do more than meet the care needs of older people.
Strengthened Quality Standard 2 requires the governing body to:
- set the organisation’s strategic priorities
- promote a culture of safety and quality
- partner with older people.
Food and nutrition
Food and nutrition in residential care has its own new dedicated standard – strengthened Quality Standard 6.
Strengthened Quality Standard 6 aims to improve the:
- quality and variety of meals
- dining experience of residents.
Graded assessment
Aged care provider assessment against the strengthened Quality Standards is changing.
Under the new audit methodology, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will:
- audit providers depending on the services they offer against the strengthened Quality Standards
- provide a graded assessment at the outcome level against each strengthened Quality Standard
- conformance
- minor non-conformance
- major non-conformance.
An exceeding grade will:
- only be available to residential care homes and based on assessment criteria (to be developed)
- only be considered if conformance is found for each of the strengthened Quality Standards.
A provider’s graded assessment will impact a provider’s Star Rating and will be shown on the Find a provider tool.
A graded assessment against the strengthened Quality Standards aims to encourage excellence in aged care service delivery.