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Snippets – Volume 9 Issue 4
April 2009
Please note some of the articles provided have additional papers which can be downloaded or links to another website page. In some cases these documents are linked to the ACS Members Only section of this website and will require a Username and Password. All members have been issued with a Username and Password. If you have not received this please contact the Communications Officer with your contact details and you will be issued with your access details.
Index
From the CEO's desk
ACS Strategic Plan
The ACS Board and staff recently undertook a strategic planning process. A draft strategic plan has now been prepared, and ACS would appreciate members’ comments on the draft.
Do you feel the strategic plan encapsulates what ACS should be doing? Is the emphasis on the particular areas correct and/or are any areas are missing?
Your feedback would be appreciated by the end of May – please email Ann-Marie Hudson.
Amendment to regulation 311 of the Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 1996
ACS has received information regarding amendments to the Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 1996 that permit an enrolled nurse to administer drugs of dependence (Schedule 8 medicines such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl) in a health service (includes a high care residential aged care facility). These came into operation on 16 April 2009. The key points to note are:
- An enrolled nurse must comply with the same recording requirements that apply to a medical practitioner, dentist or registered nurse when they supply or administer a drug of dependence. [reg 31G].
- The administration of a drug of dependence in a health service must be witnessed by a nurse, or, where a nurse is not reasonably available, by some other responsible person (this would include a care worker employed by the health service). [reg 31I(1)(c)(i)].
- An enrolled nurse can be given prescribed instructions by a medical practitioner or dentist by telephone for the administration of a drug of dependence to a person in a health service. One other responsible person employed by the health service must also be given the instructions. [reg31I(1)(e)(i)]. The nurse must record the specified information in the person’s medication record and sign the record. [reg 31I(1)(e)(ii)].
- Regulation 31I(2) now refers to the designated nurse for a ward of a health service for a particular shift, not the registered nurse in charge of the ward in relation to the person responsible for the additional record keeping requirements for drugs of dependence for the ward for the shift. These requirements include ensuring that the relevant records are kept in the ward and the drugs of dependence are counted at the end of the shift. [reg 31I(2)(a), reg 31I(2)(b)]. An enrolled nurse can be the designated nurse.
- The designated nurse must be a nurse present on the ward during the shift and may only be an enrolled nurse if no registered nurse will be present. [reg 31I(2b)].
- The Director of Nursing or, if there is no Director of Nursing, the manager of a health service must ensure that for each shift for each ward of the health service a nurse is designated as having responsibility for the additional record keeping requirements specified under regulation 31I(2). [reg 31I(2a)].
- The decision to administer a drug of dependence in accordance with a standing order is restricted to a registered nurse. [reg 31I(1)(a)].
If you have any queries about the amendments to the Controlled Substances legislation please contact the Drugs of Dependence Unit on 1300 652 584.
Microsoft Licensing
I would like to draw members’ attention to the new arrangements for charitable provider eligibility to the Microsoft Academic Open Agreement LANs preferential licensing arrangements.
Unfortunately, despite ACSA’s discussions with Microsoft, the company has refused to change its position and so new arrangements will apply from 30 April 2009. Perpetual licenses already held may be retained but orders under current Academic Open Agreement LANs may only be placed until 30 April. Thereafter discounted Volume License Agreements may be purchased for a limited period.
New eligibility criteria are available here. For further information on new purchasing arrangements please click here.
ACSA is disappointed with this response and will be investigating alternative arrangements to assist members.
ACS to offer Dale Carnegie Training sessions
ACS is delighted to announce our association with Dale Carnegie Training to provide a selection of their corporate seminars as part of the ACS training program for 2009.
Dale Carnegie Training is a global provider of locally-delivered behavioural development programmes. They have recently released a series of one-day seminars developed in response to the challenges facing managers today. ACS is offering three of these topics during 2009; each seminar will run from 9.00 am–4.30 pm.
Please click on the links below for further information about each seminar.
Wednesday 20 May – How to Handle Multiple Demands on Your Time
Wednesday 19 August – How to Build Trust, Credibility and Respect
Tuesday 24 November – Managing Across the Generations
ACS Forum - last days to register!
ACS Forum: Technology, Evolution or Revolution?
Proudly sponsored by Health Super
Date: Monday 4 May
Time: 9.00 am-4.00 pm
Venue: Stables Ballroom, Morphettville Junction, 470 Anzac Hwy, Camden Park
Technology enables people to live independent, active lives, assists people to remain connected with their communities, improves mobility and overcome communications barriers. Technology also has the potential to enable organisations to enhance the effectiveness of their service delivery and improve staff efficiency and safety.
Is technology an essential part of future practice? Are we making the most of its many applications? Does it create other barriers to quality of life and service delivery?
This Forum will showcase some of the latest technology and provide information about projects which aim to maximise personal ability and organisational effectiveness into the future. A trade exhibition will provide an opportunity to learn more during the breaks - there will be trade displays by Dataline Visual Link, HealthSolve, Improve IT, Independent Living Centre and Royal Society for the Blind.
Finally, a panel representing a consumer, service provider, legal expert, funding body and ethicist will take you through a fascinating hypothetical, where questions relating to the impact technology has on the individual, the organisation, risk management, funding models and society will be debated.
The latest update on Quality Standards will also be provided from the State and Australian Government.
ACS SA&NT staff profile: Neville Stephens
This year in Snippets we will profile one ACS staff member each month to provide members with a better idea of individual roles within the Association. This month features Neville Stephens, our Residential Services Manager.
Background
Neville worked in the Department of Health and Ageing for 25 years, with 12 years’ experience in aged care programs under the Aged Care Act. He has a broad knowledge of aged care issues and detailed knowledge of residential, community and flexible aged care services. He represented the Department in a variety of forums, including management committees and regional task groups.
Current role
As Residential Services Manager, Neville is responsible for ensuring that member organisations of ACS, which provide residential aged care and/or retirement housing services, are provided with information, advice and other support in the conduct of their services. To this end, he liaises with individual members and ACS standing committees to ensure that residential aged care and/or retirement housing issues are addressed on behalf of the wider ACS membership.
Other interests
Neville has always been a keen participant and observer in a number of sporting activities particularly with his two children. Due to the ageing process, Neville now restricts his sporting participation to a round of golf, where he confesses to be a golfing tragic. His ambition is to get a single figure handicap but he considers that opportunity may have passed. Neville is married with two adult children (still living at home). Neville’s other interests are travelling, listening to music and just ‘chilling out’ with family and friends, solving all the problems of the world over a good bottle of wine and some nice food.
General News
National Report Issue
The latest edition of the National Report is now available from the Members Only section. Click here to download. Issues covered in the latest edition include:
- Aged Care Funding in News
- Aged Care Industry Council Calls for Government to 'Balance the Books' on Aged Care Funding
- Economic Evaluation of Capital Financing of High Care - Access Economics Report
- ACSA Urges Government Not to Put All Its Eggs in One Basket
- Microsoft Licensing
- National Shelter Seniors Housing Project
- Low Emission Assistance Plan for ILUs
Productivity Commission Study of the Contribution of the Not for Profit Sector - Image Campaign Update
- Bushfire and Flood Safety Planning For Aged Care Homes
- Missing Persons
- Transition Care places formally approved
- $13 million extra for carers' respite
- RCS Review Statistics: 1 October 2008 to 31 December 2008
Meeting with Senator Nick Xenophon
On 3 April 2009 ACS Board members and members of the Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) had a joint meeting with Senator Nick Xenophon to discuss changing trends in the aged care industry. Members from both associations expressed their concerns about the increased demand on aged care providers to meet consumer needs.
The main focus of the meeting was to emphasise to Senator Xenophon that the aged care system needs structural reform to have any hope of coping with the demand caused by Australia’s ageing population. Senator Xenophon was very receptive and by the end of the meeting was more understanding of the industry’s key concerns including methods of funding both capital and recurrent, and in particular the prohibition on accommodation bonds in high care, methods of staffing and staff training and the setting and monitoring of standards.
On behalf of its members ACS would like to thank Senator Xenophon for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend this meeting.
New workforce resources launched
The Hon Jennifer Rankine MP, Minister for Ageing (pictured left with Michael Bailey, Chair of the ACS Workforce Committee) launched two Workforce Resources developed by ACS with funding from the Home and Community Care Program at the Monastery on 22 April 2009.
Resource 1 Working and Learning in Aged & Community Care provides information about the type of paid and volunteer work available. This resource is for anyone looking for flexible work which benefits others, in a sector that provides a good chance of job security. It lists some of the reasons people love working in aged and community care, valuable training courses and how to access help with study costs.
Resource 2 Taking Care of Workforce Business provides aged and community care employers with a wide range of initiatives to make their workplace more attractive to potential and existing staff. It comprises a package of 28 Information Sheets covering topics such as Work-Life Balance, Career Development, Workplace Flexibility, Valuing Workers and Managing Initiatives. Each topic provides information on Why would you want to do it? How would you go about it? Initiatives you could consider; Initiatives other organisations have successfully implemented; and Where you can get more information.
Michael Bailey, Chair of the ACS Workforce Committee and Manager, Business Development and Human Resources, Clayton Church Homes, lead the proceedings on the day with short presentations from Carol Mohan, HACC Service Support & Development Officer, ACS and Darren Young, General Manager Metro Division Helping Hand Aged Care. The launch was followed by light refreshments at the Monastery.
Both resources will soon be available electronically on ACS website.
Opportunity for Japanese Theatre Group to perform at an ACS member’s facility!
The Japanese Theatre Group will perform at the Arts, Ageing and Creativity Conference to be held in Adelaide in October 2009.
An opportunity exists for the Group to make a one-hour presentation at an aged care facility on the afternoon or evening of Friday 23 October 2009. (The Group would also need one hour to set up before the performance.) The production aims to enlighten staff, families and residents about people living with dementia.
The host facility would need to provide:
- a small theatre or recreation hall for the performance
- a bus to transfer the Group (20 people) from North Terrace, Adelaide to the facility and back
- access to chairs and a small cupboard to use as props
The actors in the Group are all aged care workers in their own right (e.g. carers, social workers and nurses). Please click here for further information about the Group.
The host facility could consider opening up the performance to others (depending on the size of the venue available). Please contact Eileen King for further information.
Younger Onset Dementia
A National Consumer Summit was held in February 2009. The communiqué and supporting recommendations from the Summit address how the quality of life can be maintained and improved for people with younger onset dementia, their families and carers.
National Respite Development Fund
The Australian Government is providing an extra $13 million over two years to increase carers’ access to respite. Forty-six National Respite Development Fund (NRDF) organisations will receive funding to meet service delivery costs in providing further support and respite options for carers of people with a mental illness or intellectual disability. The funding for South Australia and the Northern Territory is allocated as detailed below.
South Australia
Organisation |
HACC Region |
Total Amount |
Anglicare SA Incorporated |
South East Metro SA North West Metro SA |
200,000 200,000 |
Carers’ Link Barossa and Districts Inc |
North West Country SA |
38,710 |
Country North Community Services Inc |
North West Country SA |
21,211 |
Life Without Barriers |
South East Country SA |
200,000 |
Mental Illness Fellowship of South Australia Inc. |
North West Metro SA South East Metro SA |
174,849 134,849 |
Mind Australia |
South East Metro SA North West Metro SA South East Country SA |
144,084 138,340 134,115 |
Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide Inc |
South East Country SA |
146,000 |
YMCA South Australia Inc |
North West Metro SA South East Metro SA |
17,540 17,540 |
SA Total |
1,567,238 |
Northern Territory
Organisation |
HACC Region |
Total amount |
Mental Health Carers NT Incorporated |
Top End NT |
41,733 |
Top End Association for Mental Health Incorporated |
Top End NT Central Australia NT |
200,000 200,000 |
NT Total |
441,733 |
Did you know that the ACS Training and Board rooms are available for hire?
ACS has two rooms (Training Room and Board Room) which can be hired separately or opened up to form one large room. The rooms are air-conditioned and have plenty of natural light. Special rates are available for ACS members.
The rooms can be arranged in theatre style, or with tables, and will hold up to the following maximum numbers:
Training room maximum number |
Board room maximum number |
Both rooms maximum numbers |
|
Theatre style (rows of chairs) |
35 |
25 |
60 |
Around tables |
20 around small tables |
18 around the Board table |
35 around small tables |
Please click here for further information and package prices.
Police check requirements update – one-off declaration required by 30 April 2009
In April 2006 the Government announced that operators of aged care services, directly subsidised by the Australian Government, would be subject to new police check requirements for certain staff and volunteers.
As part of the new police check requirements, approved providers are required to make a one-off written declaration to the Secretary by 30 April 2009, that they have met the new requirements. Please refer to the Guide to changes to the Regulatory Framework for Aged Care, December 2008.
Peak bodies have sought clarification regarding police checks for contractors, in particular trades people who perform work otherwise than ‘under the control of’ the approved provider.
Please click here for the Department’s response, which clarifies the requirements relating to certain staff members and volunteers, and the meaning of ‘under the control of’.
New PBS medicine listed
Older women with osteoporosis will benefit from the additions and changes to medicines subsidised by the Australian Government on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). In coming years more than 21,000 older women with osteoporosis will be able to access zoledronic acid (Aclasta®.
The once-a year injection will be available for women over 70 years with a bone mineral density score of -3.0 or less.
Vitamin D Supplements – A clear need and benefit for the elderly
Australian bone health experts have welcomed the publication of new research which confirms that high-dosage vitamin D supplements have a positive impact on bone health and falls.
The research, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, found that people over 65 years old, taking a high dose of vitamin D, could reduce hip fractures by 20%. Those older Australians who are taking vitamin D supplements are most likely taking 1000 international units per day, which is likely to have bone health benefits for them.
Reminder: Inaugural Palliative Care Awards 2009 - nominations close 30 April
The Palliative Care Awards recognise the most outstanding efforts in supporting and caring for dying South Australians, their carers, families, friends and colleagues.
The Awards are open to all South Australians who provide palliative care in SA, in either a paid or an unpaid role. There are 12 Award categories, plus the Patron’s Award for the Most Outstanding Achievement in Palliative Care selected from the 12 winners.
Anyone can submit a nomination. Nomination forms can be emailed or posted to: PCCSA, 202 Greenhill Road, Eastwood, 5063.
A shortlist of three nominees for each category will be announced during National Palliative Care Week in late May. Winners will be announced at the Presentation Ceremony at Government House on Friday 3 July 2009.
The closing date for nominations is 30 April 2009!
SA Training and Skills Commission – 2009 SA Training Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2009 SA Training Awards.
The awards for vocational education and training (VET), recognise innovation and excellence in the training sector. They recognise individuals for their efforts and achievements and encourage them to realise their potential and build their careers. They also aim to raise the profile of skills and reward businesses and organisations for innovative approaches to training that help to develop our industries and workforce.
Student awards are available in the following categories:
- Apprentice of the Year
- Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- Vocational Student of the Year
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
Enterprise awards are available in the following categories:
- Employer of the Year
- VET in Schools Excellence Award
- South Australian Training Initiative Award
- Small Training Provider of the Year
- Large Training Provider of the Year
Nominations close 29 May. Please click here for further information and nomination forms
Consumer level recall of Dithrasal ointment
6 April 2009
DITHRASAL 1% (dithranol 10mg/g) ointment 50g tube
AUST R 15561
Batch number: 6A49
Expiry Date: July 2009
and
DITHRASAL 2% (dithranol 20mg/g) ointment 50g tube
AUST R 15562
Batch number: 34526
Expiry Date: March 2011
This ointment is used for treatment of sub acute and chronic psoriasis of the scalp and body, and is sold through pharmacies in 50 gram tubes. These batches of the product are being recalled because they contain higher than permitted levels of 1, 8 dihydroxyanthraquinone (DHAQ).
Please click here for further information.
Southern Adelaide Health Service – Healthy Ageing for All 2008-2016
The Southern Adelaide Health Service area is recognised as largely providing services for the older Australian group. The development of a Healthy Ageing for All Framework for the South gives strength to the excellent work already being done in hospitals, primary health care services and in partnership with local community services by creating a visible, comprehensive and coordinated range of services across the life-course continuum that supports older Australians to access services as and when they need for the right care, in the right place, first time.
The document covers:
- Older Person Perspective
- Older Person Wellness Continuum
- Health Streams of Care
- Optimising Health & Wellbeing
- Better Care within the Health Sector
- Integrated Care across Community, Health & Aged Care continuum
Please click here to access the document.
Additional scholarship rounds open for aged care nurses – extension of application period to 1 May 2009!
Applications for the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme – Postgraduate and Continuing Education and the Postgraduate Community Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme opened on 21 March 2009 and have been extended to close on 1 May 2009.
The Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme provides Registered nurses who are studying for their Masters with scholarships valued at up to $15,000 a year. It also offers up to $10,000 a year to assist Registered and Enrolled nurses working in aged care facilities for further education and training. Registered and Enrolled nurses who do not have a current practicing certificate may also apply if they intend undertaking a re-entry course or they can demonstrate that they are eligible to re-register.
The Postgraduate Community Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme provides up to $10,000 to eligible Registered nurses working in the community aged care sector for tertiary studies, TAFE programs, vocational education, training courses, workshops and conference attendance. Studies must be undertaken in 2009, and applicants may apply for more than one professional development activity to be undertaken during this time. All scholarships awarded under this scheme must be directly relevant to the applicant's nursing employment in the community aged care sector.
For further information please contact the Royal College of Nursing, Australia on the free call numbers for Community on 1800 551 201, Aged Care on 1800 116 696 or email. An Application and Guidelines Form is available for download from the RCNA website.
New Resources
Social inclusion website
A ‘new look’ social inclusion website has been designed to become a hub for information on social inclusion. Visit the website to find out more about the Social Inclusion Agenda and watch for the latest developments as the site grows.
NPS Medicine Name Finder
Each year 140,000 people are hospitalised because of adverse events relating to medicine. Many of these cases could be avoided if people had a better understanding of how their medicines work.
To help people get to know their medicines, the National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) has developed an online tool, NPS Medicine Name Finder, which identifies the active ingredient in a prescription medicine and the brand names it is known by – some medicines have a number of different names.
The NPS Medicine Name Finder will help both consumers and health professionals quickly identify which active ingredients are marketed under which brand names. It does not cover over-the-counter, natural or herbal medicines, nor medicines not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
A new medication management aid for the visually impaired now available
People with low vision now have a new aid to ensure they take their medications correctly. In discussions with Vision Australia, Webstercare have determined that it is much easier for a person with low vision to distinguish white text against a black background. This led to the development of the new Webster-pak LV (low vision) specifically designed to ensure people with low vision can see and take their medications correctly, as packaged and supplied by their pharmacist.
As well as being white, the writing is in a larger font size and sentence case type which makes the Mon-Sun labels – down the side of the pack – and dosage times (breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime) across the pak, easier to see.
Support for GPs in Violent Situations
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has launched a new training kit aimed at helping general practitioners to prevent and manage unsafe, even life threatening situations in their surgeries. The kit, General Practice: A safe place, will assist GPs and other surgery staff to equip themselves with the skills to create a safe physical environment and minimise potentially violent situations.
This new kit has a booklet containing practical tools and tips for promoting safety in general practice, plus an online education module will provide training for GPs, surgery administrative staff, registrars, students and other related health professionals. The kit is available through the RACGP website.
New brochure available with translated medicines information
A brochure explaining generic medicines has been translated into Chinese (simplified and traditional), Italian, Vietnamese and Greek as part of the third phase of the Generic medicines are an equal choice campaign. Developed by the National Prescribing Service Limited and Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia, the bilingual brochure is aimed at seniors and supports radio announcements airing in March and April in Cantonese, Mandarin and Italian.
The need has arisen because the translation of ‘generic medicines’ has different meanings in different languages. The generic medicines brochures and other translated materials about medicines are available from GPs and pharmacists, and at this website.
News for Residential Members
Bushfire and flood safety planning for aged care homes
All Australian nursing homes applying for new Federal Government-funded aged care places will be required to demonstrate they have considered natural disaster threats such as bushfires and floods.
Details will also be discussed at the next meeting of the Ageing Consultative Committee, which comprises the aged care sector, unions and various consumer representatives.
The new ACAR natural disaster requirements complement existing State, Territory and local government planning requirements and emergency management plans by requiring an approved provider to stipulate they have met the requirements.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) summary of recalls
Please click here for a copy of the TGA summary of recalls for March 2009.
ACFI Update
Concerns regarding ACFI
On 30 January 2009 ACS wrote to Mr Andrew Stuart, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Health & Ageing, expressing members’ concerns regarding ACAT practices and the ACFI funding model. ACS has received a response from Mr Stuart which states in part:
The Department of Health and Ageing is closely Monitoring the ACFI to ensure it is achieving its objectives and the Australian government has committed to reviewing the impact of the ACFI 18 months after its commencement. In addition, and expert working group the ACFI Technical Reference Group, has been established to provide technical advice and guidance as requested to the Department of Health and Ageing in relation to evaluation of the assessment instruments that underpin the ACFI.
To assist the ACFI Technical Reference Group Mr Stuart has requested ACS provide more detailed case studies from its members regarding any loss of income experienced due to this anomaly.
ACS is keen to hear from members regarding this issue – please email your experiences to Neville Stephens.
News for Community Providers
Diverse Australia Program Community Grants Round
The primary objective of the Diverse Australia Program is to help not for profit community organisations turn plans into reality. If your idea promotes respect, fairness and a sense of belonging for everyone, then the grants might be able to help you.
For information about the types of funding, who is eligible and how to apply please click here.
Applications open for National Disability Conference Funding
Funding of $320,000 will improve conference access for people with disability, through the Australian Government's National Disability Conference Funding program. Past funding has been used to provide Auslan interpreters, note takers and materials in alternate formats. Funding can also be used to assist with conference fees, costs of transport to and from the conference, and accommodation during the conference.
Applications are now open to organisers of disability conferences to be held between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010. Applications close on 5 May 2009.
Further information is available at the website, via email or phone 1800 672 682.
Basic home fire safety
Basic home fire safety information has now been included in nine separate units of competency in the new CHC08 Community Services Training Package. The nine units are part of the core and/or elective options for 49 qualifications and two Skill Sets.
Basic home fire safety support materials will be managed and developed centrally for use in each state and territory. This will ensure the information provided is nationally consistent and in line with current fire service policy and practice.
It is anticipated that this information will be available in the first week of July at no cost via download from fire services websites in each state and territory. If you have any questions please contact:
Julie Harris at MFB (national project manager)
Kerry Jennings at Aerial Consultancy
Expanded community support service for Indigenous communities
The Australian Government is providing $55 million over four years to deliver link-up and support services for Indigenous Australians through a national network of 87 new Indigenous Community Support Service providers. The providers will help connect Indigenous people and their families with a range of services including caring for families, early childhood, education, training, employment, financial management, housing, health and legal services. They will also help people deal with issues such as family violence and drug and alcohol abuse.
The program was established following consultations with Indigenous communities about the reform of the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Program. Funding of up to $150,000 for a provider to service a single or cluster of locations will cover salary, rent, utilities, equipment, administrative, training, travel and other costs. The Government encourages service providers, including those affected by the removal of CDEP, to apply for funding to provide the new Indigenous Community Support Service.
For more information on this funding process and a list of the service locations visit the website.
Information for HACC service providers
The Minister for Ageing has approved the HACC Funding Priorities 2009/10 document and the opening of the 2009/10 HACC Funding Round 25. Click here to open the Funding priorities document.
As outlined in section 4 “Funding Allocation Process Reforms” of the document Direct Allocation and Invited Submission Funding Allocation Processes will be used for the 2009/10 HACC Funding Round. The document details the selection criteria used to determine which agencies will be asked to apply for 2009/10 Growth Funding through these processes.
For those agencies asked to submit an application, either through Direct Allocation or Invited Submission, a Project Officer from the Office for the Ageing will email you information containing the appropriate forms, instructions and links to web sites.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of the Funding Priorities document and the Funding Allocation processes for this Funding Round please contact Lyle Rimon on 8207 0396.
Office for Carers Autumn 2009 Newsletter
A copy of the newsletter can be accessed here.
The Way Forward
Click here for the March Edition of The Way Forward newsletter.
News for the Retirement Sector
Retirement Housing dates for your diary
ACS / RVA Retirement Housing Forum - Friday 15 May 2009
Legal, financial and environmental considerations for retirement housing operators.
Time: 9 am–6 pm, followed by cocktails and canapés
Venue: Adelaide Pavilion
Theme: Viability and sustainability in retirement housing.
Keynote speaker: John Brodie, principal of VIM Sustainability (NSW)
Please click here for the full program and registration form.
ACS Annual Housing Forum - Friday 4 December 2009
Venue: Morphettville Junction
Full program to be advised.
Free Workshop for Older People: Issues and Opportunities in Older People’s Housing
Date: 26 May 2009
Time: 1.30–3.30 pm
Venue: Crystal Room, Stamford Plaza Hotel, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide
Free event, afternoon tea provided.
The Federal Government has funded this workshop to give older people a chance to communicate their ideas, concerns and aspirations with government at this critical time.
We are seeking your organisation’s support to identify older people who should attend this important forum on housing issues and opportunities.
Attendance will be limited to 50 people. For further details please click here or ring Roland on 0407 556 520.
Northern Territory News
Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER)
Indigenous workers will fill 319 jobs in the aged and community care sector, through changes to the Community Employment Development Projects (CDEP) program. The Australian Government – through the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) – is funding permanent part-time jobs which comprise:
- 274 positions in Home and Community Care (HACC) Services; and
- 45 positions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care services.
The new permanent part-time jobs in community aged care will provide superannuation, ongoing certainty of employment and career progression. These jobs include undertaking personal care and assistance, food preparation and delivery, transport and social support and general home care.
More than 60 communities have been funded and these include: Imanpa, Papunya, Tangentyere, Ti Tree, Docker River, Elliot Creek, Hermannsburg, Apatula, Alpurrurulam,Yuendumu, Galiwinku, Ramingining, Gunbalanya, Wadeye, Daguragu, Yirrakala and Maningrida.
In addition, from April, training for the community aged care positions will be rolled out in partnership with the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Health and Families. Four NT- based training providers have been funded to provide the training – HK Training and Consulting, Charles Darwin University in the Top End, Henge Education and STEPS Training in Central Australia.
NT HACC
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, and Northern Territory Minister for Senior Territorians, Ms Malarndirri McCarthy, announced an extra $863,000 for Home and Community Care (HACC) services in the Northern Territory. The additional funding is part of a three-year plan for (HACC) in the NT, which will see the Territory receive more than $36 million over the next three years.
NT Transition Care
More than 80 older NT residents have participated in the Australian Government's $293.2 million Transition Care Program since November 2007 – allowing most of them to move from hospitals back into their own homes. Almost all (81 out of 82) older Territorians who have used the program received transition care in a bed-based residential setting.
The Transition Care Program currently operates 22 transition care places in the NT and this will rise to 29 by 2010. The NT services are:
- Northern Territory Transition Care Program in Casuarina (six places);
- Darwin Transitional Care Unit (four places);
- Katherine Transitional Care Unit (eight places); and
- Alice Springs Transitional Care Unit (four places).
Improving health and safety in NT Emergency Response staff accommodation
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) is strengthening occupational health and safety (OH&S) protocols covering staff accommodation in remote Indigenous communities, as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER). The changes follow the emergence of a second round of air quality issues in staff accommodation being used in NTER communities.
Click here for the full Media Release.
Rural & Regional News
Zero Tolerance: Train the Trainer course to be held in the Barossa
Anglicare SA’s Zero Tolerance program is essential education for your staff to recognise and address elder abuse, and ensure a preventative approach is adopted in all your services. The training also provides strategies to effectively deal with instances of elder abuse that may occur.
Date: Thursday 7 May
Time: 9 am-5 pm (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided)
Venue: Barossa Village, The Lodge, 14 Scholz Ave, Nuriootpa
Please click here for the registration form.
Workplace Issues
Fair Work Act 2009
The Fair Work Bill 2008 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 25 November 2008. The Fair Work Act 2009 received Royal Assent on 7 April 2009.
The Australian Government Workplace website provides detailed fact sheets which explain the different aspects of the new Workplace Relations System.
A copy of the Act (~650 pages) and an Explanatory Memorandum is also available.
Free information sessions for employers
EMA Consulting is holding free information sessions for employers to outline the unfair dismissal changes and subsequent implications this may have on yours or your client’s organisation.
Registrations for the seminar close on Friday 24 April 2009. Please click here for further information.
Research, Publications & Grants
Warm air hand dryers increase bacteria on hands
Warm air hand dryers cause an average 254 percent increase in the number of bacteria on the palms of people’s hands as well as contaminating the surrounding area, according to a recent study by the University of Westminster in London. The results suggest a dramatic increase in the amount of the Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria known to cause food poisoning, abscesses, boils and potentially penicillin-resistant infections.
The study also showed that paper towels are the safest method of drying your hands after washing – on average, paper towels reduce bacteria on the hands by 77 percent. Also, paper is not likely to contaminate the washroom environment or other users.
Report on Government Services 2009: Indigenous Compendium
The Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision's publication Report on Government Services 2009: Indigenous Compendium is now available from the Productivity Commission's website.
The publication gathers together data drawn entirely from the previously released ‘Report on Government Services 2009’.
ACS Education & Training Events
ACS 2009 Training Program
The first six months of the 2009 Training Program is now available. Registration forms for the events will be placed on the website as they are prepared, and also sent to members. Please mark this page as a bookmark and return to it regularly to view any changes and additions.
Last days to book . . .
Understanding food safety for care and lifestyle staff
Last chance for care workers/lifestyle staff to understand WHY food safety is crucial to resident safety.
Date: Monday 27 April
Time: 1 pm-4.30 pm
Venue: ACS Training Room
Business @ Breakfast: Crisis Management in Aged Care
Proudly sponsored by CCI Group Purchasing
A crisis can happen to any organisation, at any time . . . being prepared is the key to maintaining your business reputation and managing the crisis effectively. This Business @ Breakfast will provide the framework of understanding for aged care providers to ensure all necessary steps have been taken to be well prepared, crisis-ready and able to manage your business reputation effectively during a crisis with strong leadership and open communication.
Date: Thursday 30 April
Time: 7.30 am-9.00 am
Venue: Gill Langley Room, Adelaide Oval, War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide
Presenter: Tim Hughes, Principal of Hughes Public Relations, Communications Counsel
Target audience: CEOs, Board members, Marketing & PR managers, staff involved with communication and risk and reputation management
Attention new hospitality staff . . .
Follow work procedures to maintain food safety
A must-attend training session for any person handling food in the aged care industry! This session will help
you to identify specific food safety risks with your products and processes. It will also provide advice on food
law, how to manage your risks, demonstrate best practice and due diligence.
Date: Monday 11 May 2009
Time: 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Venue: ACS Training Room, 246 Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton
Please note that the Implement the Food Safety Programs and Procedures – HACCP: course that was to be held on Monday 18 May will be rescheduled in June (date TBA) to allow members to attend the:
Institute of Hospitality in Health Care Country Seminar
Date: 18 May 2009
Venue: Clare Country Club, South Australia
This is a must-attend seminar if you are a manager or supervisor of hospitality services in the health or aged care industry.
Papers and Presentations from ACS Forums
Papers and Presentations from some of the recently held ACS Forums are available for members-only access. Click here to view the list of presentations available.
Visit the ACS Training & Events Program
Industry Education & Training
Palliative Care: Program of Experience
The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) is an initiative of the Department of Health and Ageing, funded through the National Palliative Care Program. The program aims to improve the quality and accessibility of palliative care services to all people with life-limiting conditions and their families.
PEPA provides an opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in the palliative approach to care through:
- funded clinical workforce placements or workshops
- integration of learning into your workplace
- establishing networks of support.
The PEPA learning experience is to help:
- gain a clear understanding of principles of good palliative care
- identify the needs of your patients with life-limiting conditions
- understand the role of your discipline in managing common problems faced by palliative care patients
- recognise your own knowledge base/scope of practice in regard to optimal palliative care provision
- identify personal coping strategies for effective management of personal issues related to working in this area.
PEPA is being implemented in all Australian states and territories. This program provides an ideal opportunity to learn from experienced specialist staff to enhance skills, knowledge and experience in the palliative approach. Please click here for further information.
Disability and Ageing Expo
Date: Friday 14 August 2009
Time: 10 am–4 pm
Venue: Adelaide Showgrounds
The Disability and Ageing Expo is a free community event; this year it includes Ageing and will incorporate sports clinic, animal nursery, entertainment and community recreation plus loads more.
The Expo is about health and wellbeing of people of all ages – including people with a disability, people with a disability who are ageing or people who acquire a disability as they age, parents, caregivers and general community.
Organisations will have an opportunity to advertise and promote their business and services to the public and network with other service providers.
If you would like to take part in this year’s event please complete the registration form. The closing date for registration is 30 May 2009.
SA Gerontology Conference - Call for Abstracts
Date: Friday 28 August 2009
Venue:
Stamford Grand, Glenelg
The 10th Annual SA Gerontology Conference will bring together a wide range of people with an interest in ageing, and offers a great opportunity to share innovative work and recent knowledge in this field.
Keynote speakers include
- Professor Robert Newton, Exercise and Sports Science, Edith Cowan University WA
- Dr Lynn Arnold, Chief Executive, Anglicare SA
Submissions of abstracts for concurrent session presentations are welcome from academics, students, aged care practitioners and service providers and others.
Abstracts must be submitted by 29 May 2009. Click here for further information.
ITAC'09: Sustaining Quality Through eCare
Date: 21–22 May 2009
Venue: Hilton Sydney
The theme of the 3rd Annual Information Technology in Aged Care Conference is Sustaining Quality Through eCare, emphasising the importance of information technology in establishing a sustainable, quality focused aged care environment.
The provisional program is available here.
Advance notice: Cultural Awareness 2 Cultural Intelligence 4U Conference
Date: Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 June 2009
Venue: Multicultural Aged Care, 94 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End SA 5031
- Discover and apply core intercultural communication skills
- Apply an internationally used culture model to specific target cultures
- Explore how to use culture-revealing questions with residents and
- Colleagues
Please click here for further information.
SA Falls Prevention Forum
Date: Thursday 28 May 2009
Venue: Sunnybrae, Regency Park, Adelaide
The 2009 SA Falls Prevention Forum will showcase current best practice, new information and initiatives designed to reduce the risk of falls and fall-related injury in South Australia.
The program will have relevance for health and aged care professionals from a range of disciplines including medical, nursing, allied health, pharmacy, working in acute and post-acute, community and residential aged care settings in public or private.
Abstract submission forms and registration forms can be accessed here. Please note, abstracts need to be submitted by 27 April 2009.
A Day in Chinese Culture
Date: Thursday 21 May
Venue: MAC Office, 94 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End
In collaboration with Chinese Welfare Services Community Partners Project, Multicultural Aged Care (MAC) will be hosting the next LARC (Lifestyle and Respite Coordinator) Network workshop on 'A Day in the Chinese Culture'.
Participants will be provided with opportunities to develop culturally inclusive strategies; develop networks with CALD communities; access resources and information as well as develop cultural briefings.
Please click here for further information.
Abuse Prevention Kit – A ‘Train the Trainer’ approach for HACC-funded service providers
The Aged Rights Advocacy Service was funded by ‘Improving with Age – Our Ageing Plan for South Australia’ to develop an easy-to-use Abuse Prevention Kit with a ‘Train the Trainer’ approach about identification of abuse of older people.
HACC-funded agencies are invited to send a staff member who is responsible for the training of staff, to a session that will cover the material in the training kit so that they can present it in-house to their staff. The training is free.
At this session the HACC Service Provider Trainer will be guided step-by-step through the training material that contains information about (for example):
- Rights of older people;
- Types and risk factors of abuse;
- Barriers to reporting;
- Organisational policy.
Please click here for further information about session times and venues. Please phone 8232 5377 to book your place.
Free seminar: Health Professional’s Role in Advance Directives for People with Dementia
Date: Thursday 14 May 2009
The course is available to health professionals from a variety of disciplines including nurses, physios, occupational therapists, and social workers.
There is no cost to participants; the course is funded by the Australian Government as part of the Dementia Training Study Centres for Health Professionals Project.
Please click here for further information and registration form.
Free Workshop: Well Being and Dementia
Date: Friday 8 May (full-day) and Friday 22 May (half-day)
Presented by Dr Mandy Stanley
The course is recommended for health professionals from a variety of disciplines including nurses, physios, occupational therapists, and social workers. Attendance on 8 May is a prerequisite to attend on 22 May.
There is no cost to participants. This course is funded by the Australian Government as part of the Dementia Training Study Centres for Health Professionals Project. Please click here for further information.
Industry Supporters
Sponsors announcement for RVA / ACS Retirement Housing Conference
ACS is delighted to announce that the following sponsors and trade exhibitors are confirmed for the ACS / RVA Retirement Housing Forum - Friday 15 May 2009
Major sponsors
Trade displays
The following organisations will exhibit at the Conference:
New Industry Supporter: Aged Care Specialists!
ACS is delighted to welcome a new Industry Supporter to the membership: Aged Care Specialists.
A bit about what Aged Care Specialists do . . .
Ninety-two per cent of services will lose millions in non-care funding entitlements if they don't act now! The Aged Care Specialists Funding Review is a national project to recover this funding on your behalf.
The Commonwealth has enacted legislation that restricts your right to retrospective back payments to only two years. However, there is a samll window of opportunity. The Funding Review can resurrect your entitlements going back 12 years.
It's free if we don't get you a back payment - we charge on success only so there is no risk!
Act now before your entitlements are lost forever! Please contact Peter Watson for further information.
Member Services
ACS SA&NT has entered into arrangements with a range of businesses to provide cost effective and quality services to its members. Please be advised that ACS SA&NT has entered into these arrangements with a financial benefit for the Association. Currently arrangements have been made with:
Access OCAR – Employment Assistance
Program
EMA Consulting – Industrial
Advice Service
Do you have an Employee Assistance Program?
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen services and opportunities for Members, ACS SA&NT is pleased to be able to provide members with access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). ACS SA&NT has entered into an agreement with Access OCAR Workplace Consulting to provide an EAP to members at a substantially reduced rate. (Payment is made on a quartlery basis)
An EAP is a confidential counselling service designed to offer an effective means of assisting employees with problems that may eventually affect job performance and personal well-being. Employees have access to qualified counsellors who are located outside of their workplace and are trained to help people identify and resolve their problems. It has been advised that the Unions are in favour of EAP in businesses and often quality and standards accreditation also favour EA programs.
Access
OCAR Workplace Consulting will provide the services of the EAP to members
who join this service.
Click
here to download an expression of interest form. Upon completion of this
form Access OCAR will contact you to commence
the service.
Industrial Advice Service
Since 1 July 2006 EMA Consulting has been providing ACS Members with Industrial Relations Assistance. EMA consultants are highly qualified, trained, experienced and are contemporary leaders in their profession. As an ACS Member, you have access to EMA for the following services:
Telephone Advisory Service
- Unlimited access to discuss any Industrial Relations topic
- Deal with IR Consultants
- No charge per call ~ generally limited to 15 minutes per issue. If it does take longer than this, it generally means the issue is complex and you need to get specific advice.
Wage Rate Summary
- Nurses (ANF ~ SA Private Sector)
- Nurses SA
- Clerks SA
- Health Service Employees
Consultant Service
EMA will provide consulting services for all ACS Members at a discounted hourly rate of $175 per hour, which is a saving of $50 per hour. This includes access to a full range of user pays services such as AWAs, training, workers compensation, disputes and collective agreements.
Simply contact EMA with your organisation's name and provide your client access number as shown on your client card (sent with your renewal of membership for 07/08). If you do not know your client number please contact Business Development Manager Kellie Kulinski.
Telephone (VIP toll free number) 1800
632 812
Advisory Service (08) 8221
6565
Telephone (08) 8221 6665
Facsimile (08 8221 6660
Website www.emaconsulting.com.au