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Aged & Community Services
SA & NT Inc©
246 Glen Osmond Road,
Fullarton SA 5063
Phone: (08) 8338 7111
Fax: (08) 8338 7077
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Snippets – Volume 8 Issue 8
August 2008
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
Grant Thornton Aged Care Survey
I would like to remind members of the Grant Thornton comprehensive, Australia-wide independent survey of the residential aged care industry. This survey will provide invaluable information about industry performance for providers, investors, the Government and the public.
The review will focus on key aspects of changing resident demand and its financial impact on provider performance. This will provide crucial background on the framework required to facilitate choice for the consumers of tomorrow.
The survey will close on 15 September and the new report will be available before the end of the year. Aggregate results will be free to contributors, allowing providers to measure relative performance.
I urge all ACS SA&NT members to complete the survey before it closes – please click here to access. Confidentiality has been guaranteed.
ACSA National Conference
South Australia has responded magnificently to the high quality conference program offered. At the time of Early Bird closure (15 August), some 330 registrations from a total of 665 were received from individuals residing in SA. That is the single highest registration response by any state since ACSA have been keeping such records.
All things being equal and assuming that other states reach their average attendance numbers, we should have close to 900 delegates at the conference.
I appreciate that some of you are still debating about whether to attend. Even without the Early Bird discount, the registration fee represents extraordinary value – there is an excellent array of plenary speakers who will challenge the way you think and provide you with valuable insights. And there is plenty of choice at the concurrent sessions, which attempt to cover a broad interest spectrum. So if you haven’t already registered, I urge you to think again.
Click here for further information about the conference.
Northern Territory ‘Program’
Following Board support at the August meeting, ACS SA&NT will undertake a program of activities to establish a presence in the ‘Territory’. ACS will be involved in future Territory government-sponsored HACC Forums (two annually in Darwin and one in Alice Springs) and regular teleconferences targeting service providers and DONs, hosted by DoHA.
The reorganisation of the local government framework also potentially provides an opportunity to ‘sign up’ new local government members. Under the new arrangements the new Councils are likely to assume responsibility of service delivery to the elderly.
The association sees this as an important first step in establishing a solid presence in the Territory.
ACS Forums
The debate about how to maximise the value of ACS membership has long challenged Board and staff members. At its August meeting, the Board supported a staff recommendation to provide greater differentiation between members and non-members. Effective immediately only ACS staff or full or associate members will be able to attend ACS forums. This recognises the valuable role that the forums play in providing information and intelligence to the membership.
General News
National Report Issue 186
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:
- Conference Update
- ACSA Awards for Excellence: Judging the “Best of the Best”
- ACSA Supports Pay Rise for Pensioners
- Minister Confirms Policy on Staffing
- Day Therapy Centres and COPO Funding
- New Medicare Aged Care Online Claiming Information Booklet
- 2009 Senior Australian of the Year Nominations
- National Homelessness Information Clearinghouse
- Guide for Involving Older People in Research
- The Community Visitors Scheme
- Performance Indicators Across the Health and Aged Care System
- New Funding for Senior Housing
ACS Library update
ACS continues to catalogue items held for its library, resulting in a collection of some 750 DVDs, journals, books, kits, presentations and conference proceedings. ACS is pleased to make the library available to members for borrowing.
Metropolitan members are required to collect and return any items they wish to borrow. ACS will post items to rural providers on request, and providers are required to post the item back to ACS at their expense. Members may also come into the ACS library to browse items in person. If members require a significant amount of photocopying to be done, a small charge will apply.
Please direct inquiries about the library to Ann-Marie Hudson.
Exhibition space available for ACS members
Looking for a place to exhibit your work? The ACS Training Rooms will soon be available for members' exhibitions. There is no charge for the space but exhibitors are required to pay for hanging and transportation costs.
Currently the ACS Training Rooms are exhibiting 'Memories: Then and Now' (5 Aug–19 September), an innovative photographic project undertaken by the residents of Life Care Roselin Court.
Please contact Kellie Kulinski for further information and bookings on 08 8338 7111.
Welcome to new ACS member
ACS extends a warm welcome to Northern Respite Care Services, who recently joined the membership.
Workplace Ombudsman report on aged care industry audits
ACS recently met with the Workplace Ombudsman to discuss findings of audits of the aged care industry (146 audits nationally and 22 in South Australia). Industry rate of non-compliance was fairly high (one-third) but SA fared slightly better than other states.
In South Australia, nine sites had issues requiring further investigation due to non-compliance (70% of these were believed to be non-deliberate breaches). These issues related to wages and included underpayment of casuals, non-payment of wage increments, application of penalty rates and payslip breaches – all are expected to be resolved without prosecution. SA aged care providers were found to be extremely cooperative during the auditing process.
Another ‘softer’ audit will be conducted in twelve months with randomly-selected organisations to test that performance has improved. The National Report on findings should be available in early September.
Companion Card for people with a permanent disability
Companion Card is a new initiative designed to benefit people with a permanent disability who require attendant care support. The card allows a companion to enter free of charge to participating venues and activities.
The card is designed to:
- Promote the rights of people with a disability to fair ticketing
- Create a fair and consistent method of identifying people who legitimately require attendant care support to participate at venues and activities
- Assist commerce and industry and the community to comply with existing legislation
Please click on the links for a Companion Card brochure and application form.
For more information visit www.companioncard.asn.au
Improving Aged and Community Care for Indigenous Australians
The Federal Government is calling for tenders to develop new workforce training resources to improve home and community care for frail and older Indigenous Australians. The program will provide up to $400,000 and will focus on the training needs of workers caring for remote, rural and urban people in the Northern Territory. The new plan aims to train people to help older Indigenous Australians remain independent in their own homes rather than entering nursing homes.
It is anticipated that the project will have national application for the 1,400 people in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HACC (Home and Community Care) workforce.
Click here for further information.
Reference Group for pension review
The Australian Government has established a Pension Review Reference Group to review retirement incomes. This review will form part of the inquiry into Australia's Future Tax System and will investigate a number of issues affecting seniors, carers and people with a disability. These include the appropriate levels of income support and allowances, the frequency of payments, and the structure and payment of concessions or other entitlements.
Following the release of a Pension Review background paper, the Government will call for public submissions.
Click here for further information.
Transition Care update
The Australian Government has announced the first 35 operational places (of 228 fully-funded places) under its $293.2 million Transition Care plan, which helps older Australians recover and regain their independence after a major hospital stay.
The 35 places are located in Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. They came into operation on 1 July 2008 and are expected to help 1050 older Australians per year over the next four years.
In South Australia the places are:
- Central Northern Adelaide Health Services Transition Care Service – ten residential and community care places;
- Country Health South Australia Transition Care Service – seven residential and community care places.
New drug gives hope to Alzheimer's patients
New research has shown that an Australian-designed drug can improve brain function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Almost 80 patients were recruited for the trial of the new medication. Researchers found those given the new drug improved their brain function over 12 weeks. Associate Professor Steven Collins from the University of Melbourne says although it is a small study, it is an important advance. He says the real breakthrough is that the medication seems to change the underlying process of the Alzheimer's disease.
The findings have been published in The Lancet journal and presented at an international Alzheimer's conference in the United States.
Medicare Australia ACFI payment
Medicare Australia has identified an ACFI payment issue that affects care recipients currently attracting the capped rate. Care recipients who have an ACFI classification of MHH, HNH, HLH, HMM, HMH, HHM or HHH (regarding the Activities of Daily Living, Behaviour and Complex Health Care domains), are being paid at the 2007/08 capped daily rate of $135.23 instead of the 2008/09 rate of $138.11 for July 2008.
Medicare Australia has rectified the problem to ensure that payments for August 2008 are correct, but will need to implement a system change to correct the payments for July 2008. It is anticipated that this change will be implemented in early September.
Providers will receive their correct July entitlements for care recipients attracting the incorrect capped rate, once their next claim has been calculated and paid. For the majority of providers this should be in their August claim, which will be processed in September 2008.
Medicare apologises for any inconvenience. Please contact the State Office Payments Team on 1800 195 206, option 1, for further information.
Medicare alert
Medicare Australia's Aged Care online claiming system will be unavailable from 10:00pm (AEST) for 2 hours on Saturday, 6 September, to accommodate scheduled system maintenance.
Medicare Australia apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. Please phone 1300 550 115 if you experience any difficulties after this time.
Call for Nominations: 2009 Senior of the Year
Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has opened community nominations for Senior Australian of the Year. This award recognises the important contributions older Australians make to the community on a daily basis, in many different ways.
Click here for nomination forms.
Royal College of Nursing (RCNA) to administer aged care component of the workforce
The RCNA will administer the $6.9 million aged care component of the Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce program. This will involve assessing applications from returning nurses and coordinating payments to eligible nurses and aged care providers.
The Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce Program is part of a $138.9 million measure to bring 8,750 extra nurses into the Australian health and ageing workforce within five years, and includes funding up to 1,170 extra university nursing places per year.
For further information please phone the RCNA on 1800 553 252 or visit their website.
Indigenous people encouraged to work in aged care
The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, has announced a project to encourage Cape York Indigenous people to join the aged care workforce. The Australian Government has provided $100,000 to appoint a regional Indigenous employment coordinator in Cairns to work with local communities in Cape York.
The aim is to develop an Aged Care Indigenous Employment strategy which will focus on training opportunities for people who want to work in the aged care and associated health sectors.
News for Residential Members
Complaints Investigation Scheme survey results
During May 2008, the ACS SA & NT Residential Care Committee sought members' feedback on the Complaints Investigation Scheme, which took effect on 1 May 2007.
Click here for a summary of the results.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Recalls
TGA announced the following recalls during July 2008.
Sterile and Non-sterile Jumbo Swabs and Sterile Mouth Toilet Pack (Reference: RN-2008-0494) as the cotton bud may come off the stem of the swab.
Further information: phone Multigate Medical Products Pty Ltd on 02 9892 3400.
BD 60mL Luer-Lok Syringe, Catalogue number 309653 as individual unit package seal integrity (and resulting product sterility) can be adversely affected when the product is exposed to low pressure experienced at high altitudes (eg: during product shipping).
Further information: phone Becton Dickinson Pty Ltd, Melinda Serrano BD on 02 8875 7045.
Savanah Raised Toilet Seat brackets purchased from May 2007 to May 2008 (ARTG No. 143757) (Reference: RN-2008-0554), as there is a manufacturing fault with the moulding of the rubber pad onto the bracket. A faulty seat may be less secure and the user may lose stability and fall.
Further information: phone Pamela Caterson at Surgical Synergies Pty Ltd on 1300 766 473.
Please click here for the full TGA Safety Notice.
Aged Care Access Initiative
In the 2008–2009 Federal Budget, the Government announced the restructure of the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative to redirect funding to support primary care service provision in residential aged care facilities.
Click here for further information on the Aged Care Access Initiative.
Accommodation Bonds and Charges
The Department of Health and Ageing has provided the following information to help determine whether an accommodation bond or accommodation charge can be levied on a resident for entry to permanent residential aged care.
Under section 57A-2(1)(aa) of the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act), an accommodation bond may be levied for entry to permanent residential aged care if the person entering care has sufficient assets and is either:
- not eligible to pay an accommodation charge; or
- is receiving care on an extra service basis; or
- is transferring between services and section 57-23 of the Act applies.
Conversely, under s 57A-2(1)(a), a resident with sufficient assets, entering permanent residential aged care can be charged an accommodation charge if they:
- have a high ACAT approval (ie not limited to low care); and
- require a ‘high level of residential care’; and
- are not entering for the purposes of receiving care on an extra service basis.
For a service provider, considering whether a prospective resident needs a ‘high level of residential care’ is based on the evidence, available at the time of the person’s entry to the service, regarding the level of care required by the recipient.
Please click here for further information or phone the Department’s Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853.
Ageing Consultative Committee meeting – missing residents and infectious outbreaks
New reporting procedures on residents who inexplicably go missing from nursing homes and new measures on infectious disease outbreaks in facilities were on the agenda for the Ageing Consultative Committee. Accreditation and quality in nursing homes and nursing in aged care were also scheduled for discussion.
The group met for the second time on 21 August. The revamped industry advisory committee was formed by the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, to improve dialogue with the sector, workforce and representatives of older Australians.
Respecting Patient Choices Program (RPCP) at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH)
The RPCP has been in place at TQEH since October 2004. Initially the program was funded through the Department of Health and Ageing as a pilot on four wards. The hospital-wide intake and continuation has been supported by the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service (CNAHS). Over 300 TQEH staff have now been trained in the two-day RPCP workshop and response to the Program has been very positive.
From January 2008, the CNAHS reoriented the RPCP to Out of Hospital Services, enabling a collaborative community extension of the project with Residential Care Facilities (RCFs). The aim is to improve observance of resident’s wishes throughout the RCFs and acute care continuum. This is supported by a number of organisations including ACS, and RCF feedback on the program has also been very positive.
ACFI Update
ACFI Forum
120 delegates attended the ACS SA&NT ACFI Forum at Morphettville Junction on 25 July 2008. Presenters included Victoria Boyd and Bevan Noble from the Department of Health and Ageing, Jill Pretty from ACS NSW&ACT and Ian Jaimeson from Medicare Australia.
While interesting to hear the different perspectives on ACFI’s introduction, delegates were left with many unanswered questions. ACS has submitted these questions to the Department of Health and Ageing and a copy of responses will be emailed to delegates as they are received. Some of the questions and answers will also be published in Snippets so watch this space.
Administration of the ACFI Validation Program
The validation process for ACFI is expected to commence in September 2008. Click here for a copy of the ACFI Reference Group’s outline of how the validation process is anticipated to operate.
ACFI Assessment Tools
The Department of Health and Ageing have stressed the importance of not making any changes to ACFI assessment tools. If the tools are amended in any way, i.e. additional codes added or assessments attached to the tool, they will not be considered during the validation process.
As you are aware, validators may also choose to meet with residents if discrepancy exits between diagnosis and claims. The Department of Health and Ageing reported that a senior staff member from the facility is expected to be present with the Commonwealth Nursing Officer when meeting residents and family members.
Online Claiming
The timeframe for access to the Medicare Online ACFI Claiming has been increased from 30 days to 90 days. If you do not use the system within the 90 days you will need to contact Medicare and request online access.
ACFI Q&A
Assessment of behaviour and continence
Question
I was advised by industry colleagues that for behaviour and continence records each hour's slot needs to be filled in – is this true or do we only record when something occurs in the corresponding time slot?
Answer
It is suggested that homes will be unable to sustain this level of observation and that as long as it is observed/monitored at least two to three hourly during waking hours, the claim will be sustained.
Question
We have a resident who was admitted to the home several years ago and we do not have a copy of the ACCR. What do we do?
Answer
If you do not have a copy of the ACCR you need to include other source material such as GP diagnosis. Filed source materials must identify the name and profession of the health professional who made the diagnosis and the date on which it was made.
Northern Territory News
Tax Seminars in September
The Australian Taxation Office is offering a number of seminars for new businesses and existing businesses, as well as covering personal and business investment issues. Seminar topics include:
- Capital gains tax and main residence exemption for home-based businesses and tax professionals
- Tax basics for business managers, book-keepers and new to business owners.
- Fuel tax credits for existing and potential businesses
- Rental properties for owners and advisors
- Self-managed super funds for trustees
- Real property and tax for tax professionals.
Click here for full details, including dates and venues.
News for Community Providers
Predictors Influencing the Change in Health Status of Elderly in Community Care (PITCH)
A new study initiated by Baptcare and conducted by Monash University’s Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, has found that home-based community care packages for older Australians improved their quality of life, kept them healthier and reduced the need to go into a nursing home. The PITCH study examined the impact of community care programs on carers and care recipients.
Click here for a copy of the report.
The Way Forward revised
The Department of Health and Ageing has published a revised edition of The Way Forward booklet, which aims to provide information to new community care workers who are interested in the background to the work they are performing.
This revision provides historical background for work being progressed under A New Strategy for Community Care –The Way Forward. A new introduction replaces the original foreword by the former Minister for Ageing (2004 publication). All other content is unchanged.
This version of the booklet is not a full update of the previous green booklet text and does not offer a progress report on any of the previous text at this stage.
Click here for a copy of the booklet.
Aged Care Packages in the Community 2006–07: a Statistical Overview
This newly-released AIHW report presents key statistics on the provision of Australian Government-funded aged care packages and the characteristics of care recipients. It covers packages provided through the Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) program, the Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) program, and the Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACH Dementia) program.
Click here to download the full report.
Call for tenders for aged and community care
The Australian Government has called for the following tenders:
1. A tender to develop new workforce training to help Indigenous people working in aged and community care in the NT. The project will give priority to 254 people in 49 remote communities and other Indigenous people working in Home and Community Care (HACC) throughout the NT.
Click here for tender details.
2. A tender to undertake the next stage in development of a national quality reporting framework for community care programs. The successful applicant will undertake testing of the draft common standards for community care which will include:
- review and refinement of the existing draft documentation;
- pilot testing the draft common standards and supporting documentation across the spectrum of community care programs;
- analysing the results of the pilot; and
- identifying issues to inform implementation planning for the common standards, supporting documentation and reporting processes.
The Project will involve effective and comprehensive consultation with stakeholders.
Click here for tender details.
News for the Retirement Sector
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research and Policy Bulletin
According to AHURI, Australia's land use planning system could be enhanced to better support and promote affordable housing for low and moderate-income households.
Click here for a full report.
National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) Update
Applications are now open for Round 1 of National Rental Incentives (the payments issued to participants who offer rental housing at 20% below market rent). They close on 4 September 2008.
Round 1 focuses on proposals that can deliver completed dwellings for rent during the 2008–09 and 2009–10 financial years.
To be eligible for incentives under the Scheme, applicants need to meet national mandatory requirements and weighted criteria.
Because it is not expected that the full 11,000 incentives will be allocated in Round 1, a second call for applications (Round 2) will be issued in October 2008.
Note that proposals received in both rounds which also seek incentives for projects in the Expansion Phase will be accepted and assessed at this time.
Expansion Phase (1 July 2010–30 June 2012)
The allocation of incentives under the Expansion Phase will occur in Round 3, which will be opened in March 2009, for proposals that can deliver dwellings for rent by June 2012. (Subsequent calls for incentives will be issued annually.) Any remaining Incentives from the Establishment Phase will also be allocated in this Round.
Prospectus
The National Rental Affordability Scheme Prospectus outlines details of the Scheme.
To order a copy of the Prospectus please phone 1800 334 505.
ACS Affordable Housing Forum
Date: Friday 5 December
Venue: Morphettville Junction
Please mark this Forum in your diary; further details TBA
Government announces National Rental Affordability Scheme Partnership Facilitators
The Australian Government has announced the engagement of Partnership Facilitators to assist organisations to apply for the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). These Facilitators will work with the Australian, State and Territory Governments to support implementation of NRAS by coordinating partnership arrangements between interested parties such as investors, builders and developers, local councils and tenancy managers.
Nationally, Lesley Dredge and Roland Nauful will facilitate partnerships for the aged care sector, and Carol Croce will facilitate partnerships for the community housing sector. Justin Shadiac will facilitate partnerships in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Please register your interest with Lesley Dredge at the ACSA office if you would like to meet with Roland or Lesley when they visit your state.
An Interest Register has been established to direct organisations to an appropriate Partnership Facilitator. Organisations can register their interest by email.
News for Rural and Regional Providers
Attention rural providers attending ACSA National Conference
Rare opportunity to visit Doctors Safety Line’s new interactive centre!
You are invited to tour a new interactive centre featuring Telecare and Telehealth assistive technologies to support community and residential aged care.
Tour dates and times
Monday 29 September - bus pick up at Convention Centre at 5.30 pm
Wednesday 1 October - bus pick up at Convention Centre at 1.30 pm
Please click here for full details and book directly through Doctors Safety Line.
Workplace Issues
Industrial Relations update from EMA Consulting
EMA Note Edition 19 2008: Drug & Alcohol Policy
In a recent decision by the AIRC, the Commission identified a number of issues arising for employers regarding the employer’s ability to terminate an employee for a breach of its drug and alcohol policy.
Please click here for the full Note.
EMA Note Edition 20 2008: SA to Outlaw Family/Caring Discrimination at Work
The South Australian Government has proposed to amend its equal opportunity laws to outlaw discrimination against employees on the grounds of their family and caring responsibilities.
Please click here for the full Note.
EMA Note Edition 21 2008: Federal Court rules that Local Council is not a Constitutional Corporation
Please click here for the full Note.
Research, Publications and Grants
Thinking food safety then Think ST Solutions
Think ST Solutions is proud to offer the aged care industry:
A Quick Guide to Food Safety in Aged Care Facilities
Cost $19.95
A 10% discount applies to orders of 20 or more copies. Offer valid until 31 October.
To order please click here.
Palliative Care: 2009 grants applications now open
The Palliative Care Foundation runs an annual program to support education and research into palliative care in Australia. The Application process for the 2009 grants round has now begun.
Click here to download more information.
Annual compendium of workers’ compensation statistics 2005–06 report released
Preliminary results for 2005–06 shows that 16 out of every 1000 employees had an accepted workers’ compensation claim which involved them being away from work for at least one week, according to the latest findings in the Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics Australia 2005–06 report.
The Compendium is an annual publication that provides a detailed analysis of compensated work-related injury and disease in Australia.
According to the Compendium, the health and community services industry employed 1 046 000 people in 2005–06, 10% of the Australian workforce. The following workers’ compensation statistics relate to 94% of employees in this industry (self-employed workers were excluded).
In 2005–06 there were 17 590 serious claims, 13% of the claims across all industries. This equates to 48 employees per day sustaining a serious work-related injury or disease requiring one week or more off work. The industry recorded 17 claims per 1000 employees in 2005–06p, the eighth highest incidence rate of all industries.
Within the health and community services industry, the hospitals and nursing homes group accounted for 48% of employees and 61% of claims in 2005–06p. The community care services group accounted for 17% of employees and 23% of claims.
Click here for a copy of the Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics Australia 2005-06.
Options in Aged Care
Available in 20 languages, Options in Aged Care outlines all government-subsidised community, respite and residential aged care services. This resource explains how to access them and where to go for more information.
Click here for more information.
Mental Health Services in Australia 2005–2006
AIHW has just published this comprehensive annual report on the characteristics and activity of Australia's mental health services. A range of services are detailed including health professionals and general practitioners, hospital and residential services and supported accommodation services. Where possible, comprehensive data are provided for each state and territory, and comparisons are made between population groups (including Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and overseas-born and Australian-born people).
Click here for the full report.
National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004–2006
The AIHW has just released a report on the oral health of each state and territory. It describes the levels of oral disease, perceived oral health and patterns of dental treatment for the each state/ territory and within sociodemographic subgroups of the population.
The SA report can be downloaded here. The NT report can be downloaded here.
Salmonella information
Food Science Australia recently re-issued a newsletter containing information about Salmonella outbreaks attributed to raw eggs and melons. Please click here to access the newsletter.
Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia
A new report by the AIHW, Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia, shows that survival after cancer is improving significantly in Australia, although not for all types of cancer. The best improvements were seen in prostate cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The least improvement was for brain cancer, which showed no significant change in survival.
The cancers with the highest five-year survival rate in the 1998–2004 period were testicular cancer (97%), thyroid cancer (93%), melanoma (92%), breast cancer (88%) and prostate cancer (85%).
Click here for the full report.
Conference news
Transitional Care for Older People (Seminar) Advanced Notification – Call for Abstracts
Please click here for the call for abstracts for the Transitional Care for Older People: making the difference Seminar to be held 26–27 March 2009 in Sydney.
ACS Education & Training Events
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.
2008 ACS Training Program
The full 2008 ACS Training Program is available on the ACS Website. 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.
Understanding food safety risk management and food safety programs
Date: Monday 13 October
Time: 1–4 pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms
For several years the Federal Government has been developing a national food safety policy. An important aspect of this policy is the agreement by all state and territory governments to a consistent approach to the management of food safety risk at the facility level. One outcome of the agreement is the legislative requirement for health care facilities to develop food safety programs by 5 October 2008.
This is a must-attend workshop for Chief Executives, Directors of Care and facility managers! It will provide the policy and legislation context for food safety programs, and assist you to identify specific business and food safety risks with your food operations.
Public health and food safety management consultant, Dr Jim Smith, and TAFE SA lecturer Andrew Thomson will advise on the legislation and approaches to managing your risks, food safety program development, and effective implementation issues.
The workshop is designed to provide you with an opportunity to learn about the issues relevant to your service or business, and how you can manage these effectively.
Financial Aspects of Resident Admission Updated Seminar
Date: Monday 8 September OR Friday 26 September
Time: 1–4 pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms
Led by Mark McInerney (McInerney Barratt Financial Solutions)
This seminar will address updated specific issues relating to resident admissions including:
- Calculation and analysis of ongoing fees and accommodation charges including the new legislative changes effective 20 March 2008
- Strategies to maximise bonds
- Bonds and their impacts on Centrelink and cash flow
- Concessional, Assisted Residents and Self Funded Residents
- Fully supported and partially supported Residents and Self Funded Retirees
- Understanding the Centrelink asset and income assessment
- Understanding financial assets/products and their impact on aged care
Please click here for further information and registration.
ACS SA&NT Affordable Housing Forum
Date: Friday 5 December
Venue: Morphettville Junction
Please mark this Forum in your diary; further details TBA
E-learning
The following recruitment courses are offered online via the ACSA e-Learning system:
- EEO – Best Practice Recruitment Guidelines
- Privacy For The Onhire and Recruitment Industry
- Effective Reference Checking
- Workchoices – Fundamentals
- Recruitment and Selection
- Develop Business Strategies To Source and Assess Candidates
- Develop Employment Management Services For Candidates
- Manage The Recruitment Process For Client Organisations
Formal Qualifications:
- Certificate IV in Business (Employment Services)
Click here for full details.
Industry Education & Training
Free half-day Falls Forum
Date: Wednesday 17 September
Time : 9 am-11.45 am
Venue: 1st floor, Education Development Centre, Milner St Hindmarsh
The National Ageing Research Institute is holding a free half-day forum “Caring is no accident”, to disseminate the findings of the “Falls and Other Adverse Events At Home and In Respite Care Transition for Older Care Recipients” Project.
Click here for more details.
Attracting and Retaining Talent Masterclass
Date: Friday 5 September 2008
Time: 9 am–5 pm
Venue: Educational Development Centre, Hindmarsh SA
Bookings close soon for this Masterclass, which has an aged and community care focus (and includes a community care case-study and example strategic attraction and retention plan).
The Masterclass provides up-to-date information and research about attraction, retention, retirement intentions and why people leave employers. It’s also a great opportunity to learn from others and find out what works for them.
Please click here for further information.
Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd – Seminars and Courses
A new schedule of dates for one-day seminars and Assessor courses is now available. The one-day seminars aim to equip key personnel with the skills and knowledge to improve quality of care for residents. Seminar topics include:
- Managing risk to avoid non-compliance
- Evidence-based practice
- Continuous improvement
The Assessor course aims to equip individuals with the key skills and knowledge to conduct internal assessments in their own facility against the Accreditation Standards.
The Aged care quality assessment course is designed for those who wish to become registered aged care quality assessors.
Please click here for a copy of the registration brochure and a schedule of dates and locations or phone 1800 728 589.
Invitation to see new Tunstall Telecare and Telehealth products
ACS Members are invited to attend an introduction to the new range of Tunstall Telecare and Telehealth products in the Doctors Safety Line (DSL) Centre for Innovation in Home Healthcare.
Dates: Tuesdays: 2, 9, 16 September 2008 or Thursdays: 4, 11, 18 September 2008
Time: 8.30 am
Venue: DSL Offices, 247 Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville SA
Refreshments provided.
Click here for further information, phone (08) 8354 0155 or email dsl@senet.com.au
Studying & Advancing Global Eldercare (SAGE) Europe 2009
Organisation of the UK/Europe study tour 2009 is well under way, with the following options being offered:
Tour Option 1: 10–22 July 2009
UK Facilities tours and IAHSA 8th Annual Conference in London.
Tour Option 2: 19–31 July 2009
IAHSA 8th Annual Conference in London, Belgium and Germany Facilities tours.
Tour Option 3: 10–31 July 2009
UK Facilities tours and IAHSA 8th Annual Conference in London and Belgium and Germany Facilities tours.
To register your expression of interest, or for further information, click here.
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 July1, 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