News Bites

Members login

News Bites

Volume 1 Issue 1 - March 2008

Please note, some of the articles provided will have additional papers which can be downloaded or directed 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 Julia Beckett with your contact details and she will issue you with your access details.

Index

Editor's note
Late breaking news	ACFI update Workplace ombudsman audit
Local news	Forum update NT Nursing awards Dementia scholarships
National news	e-learning Changes to police checks for aged care facilities Influenza immunisation
News Extra	National conference

Editor's note

Welcome to the first issue of News Bites, the on-line bulletin to update members on news and issues that cannot wait until the next Snippets is published.

This issue is larger than anticipated, with late breaking news on two issues of particular importance to ACS SA&NT members – ACFI and the Workplace Ombudsman’s audit. So, read all about it…

Late breaking news

ACFI update

As well as ACFI starting on March 20, the changes to income assessment, concessional resident calculations and the new accommodation payments will also come into place for new residents. Information kits on these changes and ACFI will be sent out by DoHa on March 11. The DoHA website also has information on these changes.

ACSA is continuing to discuss the financial impact of the ACFI with the Department. There was acknowledgement by all that the modelling work, in large part a result of ACSA representations to the Department, has been extremely useful. Further information on the modelling should be available soon.

The Department has commissioned Access Economics to build a sophisticated model to review submitted ACFIs.This will not only enable identification of problems, but where they occur by service and which parts of ACFI produce this result. If this data supports the need for adjustments to the instrument the Department has indicated adjustments can be made. They confirm that the payments system can and will pick up variations in many variables, which will also provide early warning.

ACS encourages members to continue to send information to Natasha Searcy, particularly about the impact on funding. It would also be useful to receive reports on any changes to intake practices and any other issues so ACS can respond accordingly. If there are members who are prepared to continue RCS appraisals in parallel with their ACFIs for a period, this information would also be very useful.

ACS will conduct training in May and June on how to maximise ACFI claims. Flyers will be distributed in coming weeks. The 2008 Residential Care Forum on April 11 will also have a session dedicated to ensuring you are prepared for ACFI, including a panel discussion and opportunity for questions and answers.

ACSA, supported by ACS SA&NT, has been making representations to Government about getting ACFI right throughout its development - including getting them to look at recent modelling undertaken by members. We will continue to advocate for the sector’s interests.

Workplace ombudsman audit

As mentioned in February Snippets, the Workplace Ombudsman is conducting a national education and compliance campaign, targeting the aged care industry. ACS staff met with the Director of the South Australian office of the Workplace Ombudsman and confirmed that a package of information will be sent out to Aged Care organisations during March.

Around 10-20 percent of organisations providing residential accommodation will then be selected to undertake a compliance audit. If your organisation also has community care services, the community care staff are very likely to be captured in the audit.

A cross section of large and small, metropolitan and rural organisations will be included, as well as any organisation that has had a complaint registered in the past.

A letter will be sent to the selected organisations seeking the following time and wages records for a set period of time:

Name of each employee, status of employment and duties they perform.
Any apprenticeship/traineeship contracts, signature pages, lodgement numbers and approval notices of any Australian Workplace Agreements.
Time sheets, attendance records, rosters or other documents showing actual hours worked (including overtime hours for which there is an entitlement for overtime rates).
Records of any hours during which the employee attended required training or staff meetings.
Payroll advice records detailing gross and net wages paid to each employee in each pay period.
Wage rate (or salary) as well as any penalties, loadings or allowances, and the nature of such payments, paid during the period.
A sample payslip that is provided to the employee.
Copy of contract for any independent contractors together with invoices and records of payment.

If an organisation is found to be non compliant, ACS has been advised that it will be asked to rectify the matter voluntarily in the first instance. If it is a serious or wilful breach of the Workplace Relations Act, or if voluntary compliance is not achieved, further compliance action will be taken. There is no doubt that an attitude of willing cooperation will expedite the audit process.

For more information on industrial instruments, record keeping obligations and your rights and responsibilities under the Act, contact the Workplace Infoline on 1300 363 264.
Click here for information about the campaign and Workplace Ombudsman's Fact Sheets.

ACS is interested in your feedback about the campaign. Please contact Carol Mohan on 8338 7111 to discuss the campaign or to provide feedback about the process if your organisation is selected for audit.

Local news

Forum update

ACS member forums provide a unique opportunity to keep up to date with industry issues and trends, touch base with the peak body – and network!

Community Care
Friday April 4, 9.00am-2.00pm, Stables Ballroom Camden Park
Palliative Care in the Community
Click here for the flyer and registration form

Board Governance
Friday April 4, 9.00am-5.00pm, Adelaide Entertainment Centre Hindmarsh.
Ensuring Board Best Practice
Click here for the flyer and registration form

Residential Care
Friday April 11, 9.00am-4.00pm, Stables Ballroom Camden Park.
Preparing for the changes ahead
Click here for the flyer and registration form

Northern Territory Nursing Awards

Territorians are encouraged to nominate an outstanding nurse or midwife for the 2008 Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery Awards. The awards have been held annually since 2004 to recognise the skill and contribution of the thousands of Territory Nurses and Midwives employed in areas ranging from maternity to aged and disability, hospitals and community health.

If you know of a nurse who has demonstrated outstanding qualities in their chosen area of practice or who has made a difference in your life, show your appreciation by acknowledging their efforts and nominate them for an award. All nurses and midwives currently employed in the NT and who hold a current practising certificate with the NT Nursing & Midwifery Board are eligible for nomination.

There are nine award categories to nominate into including Acute Care, Aged Care and General Practice, Community Health, Enrolled Nurse, Graduate of the Year, Mental Health, Midwifery, Remote Health and Living Legend.
Each category winner has the opportunity to be considered for the overall ‘Nurse or Midwife of the Year’ accolade, with an individual trophy and a place in history with an engraving on the perpetual trophy.

Winners from every category will each receive $500 and a certificate of recognition with the overall winner receiving an additional $2,000. Winners will be announced on May 9, during a reception held at Parliament House.
Click here for nomination forms, or email or call 8951 7169. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday April 14.

Dementia scholarships

The South Australian and Northern Territory Dementia Training Study Centre offers scholarships for short-term research projects and learning activities that will in some way impact or improve the quality of dementia practice and care for people with dementia and/or their carers.

The centre is particularly interested in projects in rural and remote, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.
Applications will be taken on an ongoing basis during 2008, subject to funding.
Click here for full details.
Click here for an application form.

National news

E-learning

ACSA, in conjunction with Learning Seat, provides an e-learning facility to enable members to access a technology-based learning strategy. The facility includes both accredited and non-accredited learning modules and offers organisations a convenient, flexible and low-cost alternative training method.

ACSA is offering a special 20% off promotion on a selection of recruitment courses in March and April.
Click here for the details.
Click here to access the ACSA e-learning online training environment.

Changes to police checks for aged care facilities

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot has signalled her intention to strengthen the current protocols and protections for nursing home residents. The Minister wants police checks to be extended to all employed staff from accredited aged care facilities – those who have both supervised and unsupervised access.

The improved police checks would apply to residential aged care, the Community Care Packages and Extended Aged Care at Home Packages.

The Minister has asked the Department of Health and Ageing to consult with relevant unions and peak body organisations to address any unforeseen implications of the police checks. Drafting and consultations will mean the new protocols and guidelines could be in place later this year.

ACSA will seek clarification from the Department on some critical points, such as exactly what is meant by "employed staff" and "supervised access".

Influenza immunisation

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is calling for employers of health care workers in general practice, hospitals and aged care to start planning influenza vaccination clinics now so that their staff are protected against this disease and avoid spreading it to at-risk groups in their care.

The NHMRC Immunisation Handbook recommends annual influenza vaccination for anyone:

Aged over 65.
With risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease or severe asthma.
With suppressed immunity due to illness or medication.
Who is pregnant.
Of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin
Who works in health care.

The NHMRC National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS) has redeveloped the Fight Flu website with the latest evidence, Q & A section and a range of tools including posters and tips on running a campaign to help deliver a workplace immunisation program.
Click here for information about the NICS Fight Flu Program.

News extra

National conference

Please mark your diary now for the 2008 ACSA National Conference, to be held in Adelaide from September 28 to October 1.