Aged care news highlights from the week ending 17 March 2023, aggregated by CompliSpace.

The information in the Weekly 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 CompliSpace.

COVID-19 News 

Reminder - Webinar for the aged care sector: Effective IPC behaviours

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, along with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, we are holding a webinar on effective infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. We strongly recommend that all IPC leads and Directors attend, but anyone working in the aged care sector is welcome and will benefit from the presentation. When: Thursday 16 March 2023, 10:00am to 11:00am (AEDT). Please register to attend if you haven't already done so.

Reminder - PPE Preparedness Packs

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Government is continuing to support the aged care sector to prepare and protect older Australians against COVID-19 ahead of winter by deploying bulk winter personal protective equipment (PPE) packs to all Commonwealth funded residential aged care homes. Deliveries are expected to commence in late March 2023 starting with remote and rural facilities and be completed by late May 2023, ahead of winter. From 10 March 2023, the National Medical Stockpile’s logistics provider, DHL, began contacting each facility via phone call to confirm delivery arrangements. If you do not want this supply of PPE, let DHL know when they contact you and they will not proceed with the delivery. If you are not contacted by DHL by 30 April 2023, please contact the Department by email at AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@Health.gov.au. This may occur when we do not have up to date contact details for your facility.

Reminder - Application closing date: COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant (GO4863)

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the closing date for applications for the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant is 2pm (AEDT) on 31 March 2023. Providers are encouraged to make sure applications are submitted by the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted. Please see the GrantConnect website to access the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and answers to Frequently Asked Questions and online application form.

The 2023 COVID 19 Aged Care Support Program Forecast Opportunity

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the forecast opportunity was advertised on 1 March 2023. Providers are encouraged to register on GrantConnect so they can be notified of any grant opportunity offered by the Department of Health and Aged Care. Please note any details relating to this forecast opportunity may change with the published Grant Opportunity. Further Information can be found at Forecast Opportunity View - PO3917.

Moderna Bivalent (BA.4-5) 12 years+ (PFS)

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Government will include the Moderna Bivalent (BA.4-5) 12 years+ (PFS) in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for boosters in eligible people aged 12 years or older from 3 April 2023. For the current ATAGI recommendations for a 2023 booster dose please visit ATAGI 2023 booster advice.

New report highlights Covid-19 impact on Australians aged over 65

According to Aged Care Insite, a new report has revealed an excess of 12 per cent of the Australian population died due to Covid-19 in 2022, of which the majority were 65 and over. Research done by the Actuaries Institute, published last week, compared 2021-22 data with the expected mortality rate in Australia over the past 70 years.

‘Triple threat’: Virus alert as winter looms

According to Aged Care Insite, healthcare experts have flagged the aged care sector at severe risk this winter as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases spike over February and March.

Other News

24/7 nurse mandate concerns escalate as date creeps closer

According to HelloCare, concerns that more aged care homes will become at risk of closing down when 24/7 nursing requirements are mandated in July are growing among industry stakeholders.

Star Ratings: Provider preview alert

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, updated Star Ratings will be published on My Aged Care from April for all residential aged care services. Providers will have an opportunity to preview Star Ratings for all residential aged care services prior to publication. All Organisation Administrators nominated by providers in My Aged Care, will receive an email with instructions on how to access the Star Ratings preview. If you require assistance regarding updating your Organisation Administrator details, please contact the My Aged Care Service Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799. For more information on Star Ratings and to access the latest resources, visit the department’s Star Ratings webpage.

Nurses union clashes with providers over pay rise concerns

According to HelloCare, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Victorian Branch met with eight aged care employers yesterday as the two sides clashed over how the upcoming 15% wage award increase will be passed on to aged care workers.

Palliative care upgraded to a core component of aged care training

According to HelloCare, aged care workers will now have greater access to palliative care training following the introduction of palliative care skills as core requirements of two higher education Vocational Education Training (VET) Certificates.

New resources to support palliative care in aged care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, palliAGED has developed a new set of resource packs for those working in home care and residential aged care. They include a range of forms and checklists to help the aged care workforce deliver quality care at the end of life. View them below and order your free printed copy on the palliAGED website:

• palliAGED resource packs for home care (NEW)
• palliAGED resource packs for residential care (NEW)
• palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers
• palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets for Nurses
• palliAGED Introduction Modules

Free Equip Aged Care Learning Packages

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, free online learning modules to support aged care workers are now available through the University of Tasmania. Funded by the department, the Equip Aged Care Learning Packages cover 14 topics in aged care. The modules are designed for direct care workers, volunteers, caregivers and anyone with an interest in improving care for older people. Register and enrol for these modules at Equip Aged Care Learning (utas.edu.au). For further enquiries, please email equip.learning@utas.edu.au

Survey: Talking about racism and discrimination in aged care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Partners in Culturally Appropriate Aged Care (PICAC) Alliance invites aged care staff to complete a survey on their experience of racism and/or discrimination in the workplace. The PICAC Alliance will use the insights to create a new resource with information and strategies for providers to eliminate racism and discrimination and promote cultural safety in aged care settings. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and is anonymous. People from all backgrounds, working in residential or home care, are encouraged to participate. The survey closes on 31 March.

Second round of Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payments

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment rewards clinical skills and leadership. Payments of up to $6,000 are available to registered nurses. This grant round closed on 28 February 2023. Employers are reminded that a second round of payments is scheduled for registered nurses who:

• work for a government-funded aged care provider; and
• work for the entirety of one of the following eligibility periods:
• 1 November 2022 through to 31 October 2023.
• 1 May 2023 through to 31 October 2023.

We encourage you to consider these payments as part of your recruitment processes. Further information about the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment can be found on the department’s website.

How aged care providers can increase revenue

According to Aged Care Insite, providers can move to raise their revenue by optimising facility design, according to an aged care advisory firm. StewartBrown's latest review into the sector estimated that up to 50 residential care homes could be closing their doors in the next 18 months because they can no longer afford it. StewardBrown's senior partner Grant Corderoy said changing a facility's design and optimising staff costs could help to maximise revenue.

Aged care included in LGBTIQ+ wellness plan

According to Community Care Review, the federal government’s national action plan for LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing will include a focus on older people, ageing and aged care, according to a peak body that lobbied for the initiative.

BaptistCare kicks off largest aged care merger of 2023

According to Aged Care Insite, two of Australia's top not-for-profit care providers, BaptistCare NSW & ACT and Baptistcare WA, will merge to in efforts to improve financial health and meet mandated care minutes and staffing levels. Despite sharing the same name, the two providers were separate entities and independently run under different boards and management.

Call for redress for people with dementia harmed in aged care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the abuse of people living with dementia in residential aged care is “systemic and structural” and survivors deserve reparations for the harm caused, says a new report.

‘Change the narrative’ providers hear at industry event

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, there needs to be a shift in thinking when designing aged care homes of the future, according to an expert panel speaking on day two of Australian Healthcare Week.

Adapt new technology or get left behind, providers told at AHW 2023

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, aged care providers must embrace new technology and invest in innovation to survive, according to an expert panel speaking at an industry event on Wednesday.

Home Care News

Surveys for personal care workers and home care providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, healthConsult is undertaking 2 surveys on behalf of the department to better understand the home care workforce. Following surveys conducted in April 2022, these will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the Home Care Workforce Support Program (HCWSP) and future workforce initiatives. The surveys opened on 3 March and will close on Friday 31 March. Complete the survey for home care providers OR complete the survey for personal care workers.

Updated Home Care Package pricing report now available

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the National Summary of Home Care Package Prices – 31 December 2022 is now available. The report outlines Home Care Packages Program pricing data for common home care services, care management, package management, staff travel and the exit amount. At 31 December 2022, the median nursing price was $104 per standard hour, while light gardening, in-home respite, personal care and cleaning/household tasks ranged from $61 to $65 per standard hour. The department also published the Home Care Package – Published Pricing Schedule – 31 December 2022, showing the full pricing data entered into My Aged Care by providers.

Boosting the home care workforce

According to Community Care Review, it’s hoped the launch of a new home care traineeship program will help ease the workforce shortage. Developed by non-profit organisation Settlement Services International in partnership with Apprenticeship Careers Australia, the Home Care Traineeship will equip workers with the skills they need to work in home care – a sector that is desperately short of staff.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.