Aged care news highlights from the week ending 7 April 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 

Letter to aged care providers on COVID-19 preparedness

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Aged Care, together with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, have issued a joint letter to aged care providers to provide advice in preparing your service for the upcoming Easter holiday period and the approaching winter season. Their advice includes protective actions that your IPC Leads, staff, residents, care recipients and visitors can do to minimise the spread of COVID-19 as well as reminders on vaccination and the use of oral antiviral treatments.

Infection Control and Prevention overview

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the National COVID-19 Community Protection Framework and the National Statement of Expectations on COVID-19 Management in Aged Care Settings for a COVID Safe Australia (residential aged care and in-home care service providers) steps you through strategies to manage risks when there is higher community prevalence.

Infection Prevention and Control Training grants available

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, residential aged care providers can apply for funding to support registered and enrolled nurses to complete specialist IPC Lead Nurse training. Support is available for up to 2 registered or enrolled nurses in each eligible residential aged care home, for costs relating to:

• fees for suitable IPC training courses
• wages for study leave
• wages for backfilling for nurses undertaking study.

This funding provides support for more nurses in residential aged care to access IPC Lead Nurse training. Highly skilled staff will ensure residential aged care homes are well prepared to prevent or manage future infectious disease outbreaks including influenza and COVID-19. Find out more about this Grant Opportunity: Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Training (GO5867) on the GrantConnect website.

Influenza vaccinations

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice strongly recommends that vaccination remains one of the most effective protective factors for both influenza and COVID-19. Both vaccines are recommended for residents ahead of the winter season. Free influenza vaccinations are available under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for people most at risk, including all eligible residents aged 65 years and older. From early April 2023, influenza vaccines for the NIP will become available, subject to local supply arrangements in states and territories.

Co-administration of COVID-19 and flu vaccination

ATAGI advises that COVID-19 doses can be administered at the same time as the annual flu vaccination. Co-administration of COVID-19 doses and influenza vaccines for residents is both clinically safe and administratively efficient. More information on access to influenza vaccinations through the NIP can be found on the Department's website. Promotional materials including posters and brochures are available from the 2023 influenza resource collection.

What you need to do

Aged care providers must have arrangements in place for the delivery of influenza vaccines for their residents and staff. This includes making sure processes are in place, engaging with your immunisation providers and discussing the program with staff, residents and their families. This is a requirement to comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards. Your service must take precautions to prevent and control influenza and minimise infection-related risks. This includes:

• identifying and complying with all relevant Commonwealth and state or territory legislation and regulatory requirements
• having an effective infection prevention and control program that is in line with national guidelines
• offering free flu vaccinations every year to your staff and volunteers and keeping records of their vaccinations.
  

• how you have promoted and informed your staff and volunteers about the benefits of vaccination, including obtaining consent
• the steps you have taken to encourage staff and volunteers to get vaccinated.

For more information, refer to the Quality of Care Principles 2014 and the Records Principles 2014. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission assesses compliance with the influenza vaccination program. If you require assistance in organising influenza vaccinations, contact your vaccination provider or your state or territory Department of Health as soon as possible.

Advice for aged care workers

Aged care workers are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with their influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. Some jurisdictions may have requirements in relation to worker COVID-19 vaccinations. Aged care workers and providers should stay up to date with the settings in place in their jurisdiction and note that these settings do change.

2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, providers are encouraged to work with primary care providers to plan for residents to receive the COVID-19 booster dose as soon as they are eligible, rather than waiting for all residents to become eligible at the same time. Administration of a 2023 COVID-19 booster dose should aim to occur prior to June 2023 and at a time of 6 months or greater following the most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection. If you do not already have a vaccine provider, the Department will be able to assist in organising a primary care provider to deliver the COVID-19 booster vaccines dose. For assistance, please email: RACFVaccineClinics@health.gov.au.

COVID-19 vaccination consent

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, as with all vaccines, valid consent is required before administering a COVID-19 vaccine dose. While written consent is not mandatory for residents, vaccination providers should ensure they record that an individual has given their consent for a COVID-19 vaccination according to the requirements of their state/territory.

The Australian Government has prepared written consent forms which can be used to provide consent to participate in the vaccination program, including to receive a booster dose. You can also use your own form, but it must capture the necessary information to show that the person consents to a COVID-19 vaccine. The consent form should be used in combination with the ATAGI COVID-19 clinical guidance, which will assist in discussions around consent and any medical contraindications or issues that may arise in your conversations with patients.

Reminder – oral Antiviral treatment

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the oral antivirals Lagevrio^® and Paxlovid^® are available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Please ensure your COVID-19 positive residents have access to oral antivirals, prescribed by a medical practitioner as a priority. From 1 April 2023 people aged 60 to 69 years with one risk factor will now be eligible to receive Paxlovid^® for treatment of COVID-19. If you need assistance accessing a prescriber, consider HealthDirect’s free helpline 1800 022 222 or the online Service Finder.

Reminder – aged care COVID-19 Supports

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Government continues to support the sector ahead of winter by deploying personal protective equipment (PPE) packs to all Commonwealth funded RACHs, MPSs, and NATSIFACP services. Deliveries have commenced and all deliveries will be completed by late May 2023. Since 10 March, the NMS’s logistics provider, DHL, has been contacting providers to confirm delivery arrangements. All providers should now have been in contact with DHL however, if you have not been contacted please contact the Department at AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@health.gov.au.

Reporting COVID-19 cases in your service

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, residential aged care providers are required to report ALL COVID-19 cases for residents, staff and visitors immediately to the Department of Health and Aged Care via the My Aged Care COVID-19 Support Portal.

In-reach testing

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, in-reach COVID-19 PCR testing continues to be available through pathology providers to residential aged care homes that are managing COVID-19 outbreaks, including through a dedicated service provided by Sonic Healthcare (Sonic) until 30 April 2023. Requests for in-reach PCR testing from Sonic can be made by emailing the Department: AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@health.gov.au.

Testing pathways from 1 May 2023

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, from 1 May 2023, residential aged care homes will continue to have access to COVID-19 PCR testing through standard Medicare arrangements, where GPs and nurse practitioners can directly request, by referral, COVID-19 and respiratory PCR tests from a pathology provider to assist with the clinical management of patients. Any COVID-19 PCR testing under Medicare must be bulk-billed and at no cost to aged care homes or patients and treating practitioners need to give referrals to pathology providers.

Other News

Additional quality indicators for aged care introduced

According to Aged Care Guide, as of April 1 2023, residential aged care providers will be required to start collecting additional information as part of the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program).

QFR portal open for quarter 3 submissions

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, providers can now submit their third Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for 2022-23 through the Forms Administration portal. Quarter 3 submissions are due by 5 May 2023. Providers must ensure that data entered into the Quarterly Financial Statements screen is for the year-to-date. However, data entered in the Residential or Home Care Expenses & Labour Hours and Food & Nutrition screens should be for the January to March 2023 quarter only. Resources to assist providers to complete their reports are available on the department’s QFR webpage and Forms Administration’s website. If you need assistance completing the QFR call the Forms Administration helpdesk on (02) 4403 0640 or email health@formsadministration.com.au

Please note the new Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Quarterly Financial Reports) Principles 2023 have commenced. This means the department can now require a provider to validate information reported through the QFR and/or to provide updated information. This will apply to the quarter 3 submission and future QFR submissions. Requests will be by exception only. Further information on the new principles is available in the explanatory statement.

Exemption from the 24/7 registered nurse responsibility

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, eligible residential aged care providers can apply for an exemption from the 24/7 registered nurse (RN) responsibility. Applications opened on 3 April 2023. Exemptions may be granted to facilities with up to 30 operational places located in Modified Monash Model (MMM) 5, 6 and 7 regions with suitable alternative clinical care arrangements in place. Exemptions support impacted small facilities in rural and remote areas to address staffing challenges caused by RN workforce shortages. Facilities not in these locations or with more than 30 operational places are not eligible for an exemption. If you are a provider and believe one of your facilities is eligible, please email exemptions@health.gov.au.

For more information, see:

• 24/7 registered nurse responsibility webpage
• 24/7 registered nurse responsibility frequently asked questions
• 24/7 registered nurse exemption 15 March webinar recording.

New Government Provider Management System for residential aged care providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the new Government Provider Management System (GPMS) portal is now available to login and setup access for your residential aged care services. Star Ratings application will be launched soon, enabling provider preview of Star Ratings prior to publication on My Aged Care. More information about GPMS is available on the Government Provider Management System webpage.

Admin, management issues behind medication complaints

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the majority of complaints about medications in residential aged care are about receiving medications late or not at all, and poor management systems, research by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and University of Tasmania has found.

Apply for a free end-of-financial-year business or workforce review

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, eligible providers can apply for free, independent and confidential advice to improve their financial and business operations. Support is available to providers operating in regional, rural and remote locations and smaller providers. Approved providers are encouraged to apply if they are experiencing financial or workforce challenges and have concerns about their ability to maximise business performance. To receive your advice and report by 30 June 2023, please make sure you submit your application by 30 April 2023. Find more information about the programs, including how to apply and key dates, on the department’s Business Advisory Service or Workforce Advisory Service webpages.

Training and podcast on caring for LGBTI older people

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia’s Silver Rainbow training program can help providers create an inclusive environment for LGBTI older people. Training is free and customised. It provides support to implement LGBTI inclusive practices and policies to meet the requirements for Specialisation Verification on My Aged Care. For more information email education@lgbtiqhealth.org.au

You can also download the Ageing Fabulously podcast featuring 15-minute episodes hosted by writer and theatre maker Maeve Marsden (she/her). Each episode focuses on practical tips and workplace examples to help aged care workers provide inclusive aged care services to LGBTI older people.

Webinar: Technology initiatives for dementia care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for their upcoming webinar on ageing on Friday 14 April at 4.45pm‑6pm AEST. This webinar is for people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults. Find out more information and register for the webinar.

Care finder program restores face-to-face support

According to Aged Care Insite, the federal government has rolled out a new program to help vulnerable people navigate Australia's aged care system. The Care Finder program, launched at the beginning of 2023, was born after Commissioner Lynelle Briggs recognised that some older people could not access support services due to previous negative experiences or cognitive impairment.

What Are Australia’s Aged Care Challenges?

According to Lawyer Monthly, in recent years, the government of Australia has begun a widespread reform of its aged care laws, with many profound changes already enacted or planned for the future. In this article we speak with Julia Abrahams, chief counsel at Catholic Healthcare Limited and a leader in aged care law, on the challenges facing older people in Australia and what legal practitioners must do to ensure their wellbeing.

Home Care News

No significant developments this week.

Legislation

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Registered Nurses) Principles 2023 [CTH] – commenced 1 April 2023

This instrument amends the Information Principles 2014, Quality of Care Principles 2014 and the Accountability Principles 2014 to provide for the granting of exemptions from the responsibility to provide a registered nurse 24/7 at all residential aged care facilities. This instrument also introduces new reporting requirements for certain approved providers to provide the Secretary with reports and further information requested by the Secretary.

Quality of Care Amendment (Restrictive Practices) Principles 2022 [CTH] – partially commenced 1 April 2023

This instrument amends the Quality of Care Principles 2014 to authorise certain individuals or bodies to provide informed consent to the use of a restrictive practice in relation to a care recipient.