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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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Volume 2 Issue
2 – May 2009
Please note some of the articles provided will have additional papers which can be downloaded, or you will be 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 Gretta Koch with your contact details and she will issue you with your access details.
Index
Senate inquiry into residential and community aged care – summary report
Please click here for a summary of the Senate Inquiry report, which includes ACS SA&NT comments on the recommendations.
The ACS SA&NT media release regarding the Inquiry is also available.
Administration of drugs of dependence by enrolled nurses in a health service
The 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 (high care facility*) came into operation on 16 April 2009.
ACS recently received clarification from Drugs and Alcohol Services (DAAS) regarding these amendments. The key points are as follows:
- A medical practitioner, dentist or nurse can administer a drug of dependence in a health service.
- A nurse must comply with the recording requirements specified under regulation 31G when they supply or administer a drug of dependence.
- 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. [reg31I(1)(c)(i)]
- A nurse, including 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. [reg31I(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. [reg31I(2)(a), reg31I(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). [reg31I(2a)].
*As it is currently written, the regulatory amendments differentiate between high and low care facilities – and only high care facilities are classed as a health service. In low care facilities, care workers are able to administer drugs of dependence with appropriate supervision. For the purpose of the recent regulatory changes a low care facility is one that is licensed as such.
It is unclear at this time whether the State Minister will now move to ensure that both high and low care facilities are classed as a health facility. ACS was advised that this issue is still on the DAAS agenda – and is very much their preferred policy position.
As you are aware, ACS is seeking to have an exemption clause considered which recognises the difficulties for smaller providers. This clause would credential care workers where circumstances make it impossible for a registered/enrolled nurse to undertake dispensing.
Please click here to read the full letter from DAAS regarding this issue.
Reminder: Feedback on ACS Strategic Plan
ACS would like to encourage members to provide feedback on the draft strategic plan – only two more weeks to go!
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?
Please submit any feedback by the end of May – email Ann-Marie Hudson.
ACS Committee Update: Community Care Committee
The ACS Community Care Committee identified four key areas to focus on for 2008-2009, with a number of interest areas under each. The key areas are:
- Community Care Growth and Development – this covers the vision for community care, the demand for community care, consumer directed care, restorative care and dementia care.
- Community Care Reform – this includes reform issues under The Way Forward, State HACC Reform/COAG. Currently the Committee is discussing the direction the quality process for the Community Care Common Standards may take and is developing a paper on the principles and processes a quality reporting framework should address.
- Ageing Interface – including interface with mental health, disability, health and palliative care
- Aids and Equipment/ Assistive Technology – the committee monitors initiatives, funding issues and looks for opportunities for members to access information on assistive technology.
In addition the Committee has provided feedback on a number of issues including:
- Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Community Care and Flexible Packages
- Access points
- National Disability Strategy
- Inquiry into Residential and Community Aged Care in Australia
- National Health & Hospitals Reform Committee Report
If you wish to discuss the Committee’s work further please contact Peta Braendler, Community Services Manager on 8338 7111 or email
New Policy & Research officer
ACS is delighted to welcome Jeric Uy to the position of Policy & Research Officer at the Association. Jeric will replace Ann-Marie Hudson, who has taken up a newly-created position as Training Manager.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) April safety notice
This Safety Notice informs Health Services medical device recalls and product corrections issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Please click here for a copy.
Attention all housing providers: ACSA Survey of Independent Living Units
Do you provide housing for people on low incomes or with few assets? ACSA is conducting a survey on the provision of Independent Living Units that attract Commonwealth Rental Assistance, i.e. where the ingoing contribution is less than $124,500. These housing units, sometimes known rentals, are generally located in retirement villages but others may be found dotted throughout the community.
ILUs were built primarily by not-for-profit providers from the 1950s to the mid 1980s with funding from the Commonwealth. Some have been renovated and ‘made new’ on a regular basis across that time span; others have fallen below current community housing standards. According to AHURI research in 2002, there are over 34,000 such units Australia-wide, comprising around 27% of all aged care housing, a not inconsiderable proportion.
The aim of the survey is to find whether the industry has lost any of these ILUs since the 2002 survey, whether providers have upgraded them or plan to, how much this would cost, and who calls them home.
ACSA will use this information for lobbying and to prepare a submission to Government. Please click here to access the survey, which needs to be completed by 22 May.
Aged & Community Services Australia 2009 National Conference - Short Film Festival
13-16 September 2009
Perth, Western Australia
SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Do you want to enter the ACSA 2009 Conference Short Film Festival competition?
Cash Prizes up for Grabs!
ACSWA is hosting the National ACSA Conference at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre from 13-16 September 2009. Expressions of interest are now being sought from documentary makers and novice film-makers, to produce short films focussing on the aged and community care sector.
The theme for the ACSA 2009 National Conference is "Get Up, Stand Up". And who can doubt that it's time for the aged and community care industry to stand up for their rights and the rights of the people they support?
Consistent with the theme of the Conference, short films that challenge current thinking about aged and community care are wanted.
1. Two (2) minute snapshot
2. Five (5) minute mini-documentary
PRIZES: A $500 prize will be offered to the winner of each category, and in addition each winner will receive an item that will be of use in their workplace.
SCREENING: Finalists' film clips will be screened in the main Conference room and in the exhibition hall. The winning films will be announced and screened at the culmination of the Conference.
Expressions of interest must be received by Thursday 30 July 2009. Click on the links for submission guidelines, tips for first time filmmakers and an entry form; please contact Lexie Duncan should you have any queries.
HBA and Mutual Community corporate health offer for ACS members
If you take out health insurance through the ACS corporate health plan before June 30, you’ll be in with a chance to win one of four Indulgent Weekend Escapes for two worth $2,800. Plus, if you take up both hospital and extras cover, HBA and Mutual Community will give you one month’s premium free.
Offer ends 30 June 2009.
Call 1800 649 406 or visit your local Retail Centre.
4th International Conference on Creative Expression, Communication and Dementia
22–23 October 2009
Adelaide Convention Centre
This event, the first of its kind in Australasia, aims to bring together performing artists, seniors, health practitioners, international experts and researchers, managers and policy developers to discuss new ideas to stimulate and enrich the aged care sector through the use of creative expression. The conference will provide an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and insights about creative approaches that can improve the lives of all seniors.
Telephone: +61 8 8125 2200
Fax: +61 8 8125 2233
Email: shanna@aomevents.com
Web: www.alloccasionsgroup.com/CECD09
ACS SA&NT Training Courses
Dale Carnegie training: How to Handle Multiple Demands on Your Time
Date: Wednesday 20 May
Time: 9.00 am-4.30 pm
Research has shown that the constant demands on Managers’ and Coordinators’ time is a huge issue, and one which causes major stress, burnout and job turnover. The outlay for the day’s training will be recouped many times over in more effective use of time.
This full-day seminar will equip Managers and Coordinators with the skills to:
- Set priorities by pay-off potential
- Seal off mental distractions
- Focus on the job at hand
- Stop procrastinating
- Make quick, effective decisions
- Say no when you need to
- Deal with technological time wasters
- Align your priorities to match your performance goals
Click here for the registration form.
Medicare online claiming for community care (CACP providers)
Date: Wednesday 10 June
Time: 9.30 am-11 am
Members-only
Medicare Australia’s Aged Care Online Claiming is a fast and secure solution for
sending forms online and claiming directly with Medicare Australia. It was initially
introduced to streamline the payment of residential Aged Care subsidies.
Medicare is now establishing a system to allow Commonwealth-funded community
aged care providers to claim online.
The session will include:
♦ Online Claiming Benefits and Choices
♦ Community Webform Developments
♦ Steps to Use Online Claiming
♦ Community Registration for Online Claiming
Click here for the registration form.
Forums
ACS / RVA Retirement Housing Forum
Legal, financial and environmental considerations for retirement housing operators.
Date: Friday 15 May 2009
Time: 9 am-6 pm (followed by cocktails and canapés)
Venue: Adelaide Pavilion
Keynote speaker: John Brodie, principal of VIM Sustainability (NSW)
Visit the full ACS 2009 Training Calendar.