Aged care news highlights from the fortnight ending 19 July 2024, aggregated by Ideagen.

The information in the ACE Wrap is aggregated from other news sources to provide you with news that is relevant to the aged care sector across Australia and worldwide. Each paragraph is a summary of the subject matter covered in the particular news article. The information does not necessarily reflect the views of Ideagen.

Residential Care and General Aged Care News

Councils call for two years to implement new Aged Care Act

According to Community Care Review, local councils have called for a two-year transition plan to implement the new Aged Care Act, saying they’ll need time to adapt their services to meet requirements under the new legislation.

Supply and demand: Nursing shortfall predicted to grow

According to Aged Care Insite, as Australian nurses grapple with sector wide staff shortages, the Department of Health and Aged Care has revealed that demand will continue to outweigh supply for more than a decade.

Aged care homes accused of ‘short-changing’ Australians as nearly two-thirds fail to meet care-minute targets

According to the Guardian, a study finds providers making profits off government funding despite falling short on mandatory care targets.

Quarterly Financial Report portal open

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, providers can now submit their Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for Quarter 4 2023-2024 (1 April to 30 June 2024) using the Government Provider Management System (GPMS). Approved residential aged care providers are now required to report on outbreak management expenses. If any sections of the QFR are missing, incomplete or you are blocked from submitting, contact Forms Administration on (02) 4403 0640 immediately. For technical support, please call the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799 and select option 5. More information is available on the QFR and GPMS resources web pages.

Star Ratings update: Provider preview now available

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the latest update to Star Ratings is now available for preview in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS). The preview period commenced on 8 July and will be available for 2 weeks. It includes updates to: 

• staffing and quality measures ratings for January to March 2024 
• residents’ experience ratings for homes that have completed their annual survey between March and May 2024 
• contemporary compliance ratings. 

Read the GPMS user guide for Star Ratings. For technical support, please call the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799 and select option 5. 

Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy launched

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, we have released the first Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy and Action Plan for 2024-2029. The strategy sets the direction for innovation and collaboration and the action plan includes the steps we are taking in the first year. You are encouraged to share your feedback and ideas for the next phase, including:  

• building digital maturity 
• integrating emerging technologies  
• improving the aged care experience for people using the system.

Read and download the Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy. 

Email DigitalReformStrat@Health.gov.au to share your ideas or discuss opportunities to collaborate.

Government’s Aged Care Digital Strategy could slash admin time by one-third

According to The Weekly Source, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has released the Government's first Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy, a five-year plan aimed at making better use of aged care data and reducing the administrative burden on staff.

Upgrade to Aged Care Learning Information Solution

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Learning Information Solution provides education and training to help providers and workers understand their obligations in the delivery of safe, high-quality care. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have recently made some improvements which mean:  

• it's easier for learners and administrators to find courses 
• users can register directly for workshops 
• simpler access to professional development. 

Access is free for government-funded aged care providers and their employees. Private providers, individuals and other organisations can register for a fee. Learn more about education and training from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

National Immunisation Program free vaccines

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, eligible aged care residents can now conveniently access lifesaving vaccines for free. Funding is now available for pharmacists to provide free National Immunisation Program vaccines, including influenza, at residential aged care homes. If they haven’t already, aged care providers should talk to their local pharmacy as soon as possible to organise vaccines for their residents. This will ensure our most vulnerable Australians have protection from COVID-19 and influenza this winter. Read the media release from the Minister for Health. 

2,000 residential aged care customers trapped in hospital

According to The Weekly Source, hospitals around Australia are struggling to get seniors whose acute issues have been resolved into an aged care bed or NDIS placement.

Violence against healthcare workers increasing

According to Aged Care Insite, University of Queensland (UQ) research shows violence against healthcare workers is increasing in frequency and severity, not only in Australia but worldwide.

End-of-life patients suffering unnecessarily due to pain med shortage

According to Aged Care Insite, in the past year, at least six pain-relief products have become unavailable in Australia. The Australian & New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) says the withdrawals have resulted in prescriptions for less-effective medicines and increased confusion over dosage and side-effects.

Aged care home operators chalk up fifth year of losses: StewartBrown

According to The Weekly Source, as half of Australia's aged care homes continue to operate at a loss, accountants StewartBrown presented "an inescapable fact".

Home Care News

Home care quadrupled in the last decade

According to Aged Care Insite, data released by the Australian Health and Welfare Institute reveals the number of older Australians accessing home care has grown by over 200,000 in the past 10 years.

Home Care customers’ care falls to a five-year low: StewartBrown

According to The Weekly Source, the hours of care received by Home Care Package recipients continued to fall in the March 2024 quarter, continuing a five-year trend.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.