Aged care news highlights from the week ending 24 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 

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

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Government continues to support approved aged care providers with the additional costs associated with managing COVID-19 through the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension grant. The grant reimburses eligible Commonwealth funded, approved providers of residential and home care services for additional costs they have incurred due to managing a direct impact of COVID-19, between 28 May 2021 to 31 December 2022.

Providers should be aware that any costs incurred after 31 December 2022 are not eligible to be claimed under this Grant Opportunity. The closing date for applications for the grant is 2pm (AEDT) 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 Grant Opportunity Guidelines and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on GrantConnect for further information.

Other News

Complaints up, non-compliance down, quality report shows

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the number of complaints about aged care services has risen but the number of providers failing to comply with standards has fallen, according to the quality commission’s latest performance report.

Government says it will fail to meet registered nurse deadline

According to HelloCare, the Federal Government has conceded it’s failed to meet the ambitious July 1 deadline for having a Registered Nurse rostered 24/7 at all aged care homes, breaking one of its key election promises.

Update to the care minutes and 24/7 registered nurse responsibility guide

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the department has updated the Care minutes and 24/7 registered nurse responsibility guide. This provides information on care minutes targets and the 24/7 registered nurse responsibility. From 1 July 2023, approved providers of residential aged care must have at least one registered nurse on-site and on duty at all times at each residential facility. This update:

• clarifies the roles of approved providers, residential care services and residential facilities
• explains how the 24/7 registered nurse responsibility applies when multiple services are at one facility, and when one service has multiple facilities
• provides information on 24/7 registered nurse reporting and exemptions.

‘Impossible’: rural homes struggle with 24/7 nurses

According to Aged Care Insite, rural aged care providers have said having enough 24/7 nurses on-site by July would be 'impossible' as they struggle to recruit registered nurses to live and work in regional areas. Sue Thomson, chief of regional aged care provider McLean Care, said their advertisements were not yielding any applicants despite offering accommodation, travel expenses and above award pay.

Quarterly Financial Report portal open soon for quarter 3 submissions

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, from 1 April 2023, approved providers will be able to submit their quarter 3 Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) through the Forms Administration portal. This report will cover the third quarter (January‑March) of the 2022-23 financial year. Submissions are due to the department by 5 May 2023. View resources to assist with QFR reporting:

• Forms Administration
• Care Minutes and 24/7 Registered Nurse Requirements guide
• QFR webpage.

If you need assistance completing the QFR, call the Forms Administration helpdesk on (02) 4403 0640 or email health@formsadministration.com.au

March 2023 indexation: Updated Schedules, quarterly review and change to MPIR

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care:

Updated Schedules

Updated Schedules for residential and home care will apply from 20 March 2023. View the updated Schedules of fees and charges for care recipients who started care: on or after 1 July 2014; before 1 July 2014. View the updated Schedule of subsidies and supplements.

Quarterly review

Services Australia’s quarterly review of residential and home care fees will take effect from 20 March 2023, updating care recipients’ fees to align with any changes in their financial circumstances. The quarterly review for home care will take place on 25 March and for residential care on 31 March 2023. The online claiming system for home care will be unavailable from 8pm Friday 24 March to 8am Monday 27 March. Care recipients and providers will receive letters advising any fee changes or refunds resulting from the quarterly review. View more information for residential care and home care on the Services Australia website.

Change to Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR)

The MPIR will increase to 7.46% for the period 1 April to 30 June 2023 for calculating: residential care accommodation prices; interest on refunds of accommodation lump sum balances. View current and past rates.

What you need to do

Providers must ensure accommodation prices are correct and up to date on their website and printed materials, and on the My Aged Care website. For assistance, contact the service desk on 1800 836 799.

SIRS Insights Series – Unreasonable use of force: Notifications of resident to resident incidents

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, a new learning resource for providers, featuring case study insights from ‘unreasonable use of force’ incidents reported to the Commission is now available.

Unreasonable use of force tops SIRS reporting

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, many instances of unreasonable use of force in aged care homes are avoidable and greater efforts must be made by providers to identify risks to residents, says a new report.

Bill delivered to install Inspector-General of Aged Care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, legislation has been introduced to federal parliament to establish an independent body to review the administration and regulation of Australia’s aged care system. The Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill aims to “further drive transparency and accountability across the aged care sector,” says a statement from the office of Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells.

On-site pharmacists halved medicine harm in aged care: report

According to Aged Care Insite, on-site pharmacists conducting regular reviews in aged care could lower medication-related harm by 50 per cent, a new study has found.

Vision Australia webinar: Delivering co-designed emotional support to older people

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, Vision Australia is presenting a webinar on Tuesday 4 April at 12pm AEST to share how their phone and Zoom emotional wellbeing program helps rebuild the lives of people experiencing vision loss. Register for the emotional wellbeing program webinar.

Home Care News

Home care complaints up, but so is compliance

According to Community Care Review, complaints made against home care providers rose by almost a hundred during October-December 2022 – 948 compared to 849 the previous quarter. Of these, 829 were about home care packages, according to the quality commission’s latest performance report.

Webinar: Home Care Packages Program inclusions and exclusions

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the department is hosting a webinar for Home Care Packages (HCP) providers on Tuesday 4 April at 2pm-3pm AEST to explain what is included and excluded under the HCP Program. Register for the webinar.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.