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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 1 Issue
6 – November 2008
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
Changes to ACS Constitution
At the ACS SA & NT AGM on 24 October 2008, the members present passed a proposal to amend the ACS Constitution. The purpose of the amendment was to clarify the definition of local government in relation to ACS membership.
Click here for a copy of the Constitution.
ACS member finalists in Telstra Business Women's Awards
ACS warmly congratulates Julie Black (RDNS Foundation), Roslyn McRae (Country Health South Australia) and Jane Mussared (ACH Group) who were all finalists representing South Australia in the 2008 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. These Awards recognise the outstanding contributions that women make to the business sector.
The State Award winners were announced on 30 October – congratulations to Jane Mussared, who won the Nokia Business Innovation Award category! Jane was recognised for her role in making the ACH Group's community services more accessible. Under her guidance, ACH introduced a single telephone point-of-contact for prospective clients. The Group also established a modern, regional resource centre for their community service workers and volunteers in the southern region. Jane is now eligible to win the national innovation award category, which will be announced in December.
Read the full article about Jane's award in Australian Ageing Agenda. Please click here for further information about the Telstra Business Women's Awards.
Reminder: Business @ Breakfast – last chance to register
Book now for this members-only opportunity to consider a new model of service in residential aged care facilities!
Date: Tuesday 11 November
Time: 7.30 am–9.00 am
Venue: The Monastery, 15 Cross Rd, Glen Osmond SA
The program will be presented by Derek Wright from the Mental Health Unit, SA Health and will include:
- Rationale for changes and history
- Outline of the Draft Older Persons Mental Health future model of service
- Potential involvement of the Non Government Residential Aged Care Sector
- Interstate developments
- SA Health expectations around the potential partnerships
- Stages and timelines
New ACS training courses
Telecommunications: What is the Future for TV in Aged Care Facilities?
Date: Thursday 27 November
Time: 9.00–10.30 am
Venue: ACS Training Rooms
Is it viable to have pay TV installed on every television in your facility? What is the process? How will the 2010 digital TV switchover affect TVs in residential facilities?
This information session will bring together associated businesses from the telecommunication industry to answer these questions and many more.
(This session is relevant for metropolitan providers only; another session designed for rural providers could be run if sufficient demand.)
Aged Care Standards & Accreditation Agency
How to complete a self assessment and understanding ‘expected outcomes’
Date: Friday 21 November
Time: 1–3.30 pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms
Presenter: Virginia Matthews
Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Assistive Technologies seminar
Promoting Independence with Assistive Technologies
This seminar will explore how an interdisciplinary approach can lead to innovative technologies and the design of new aids to maximise independence for older and frail adults.
Date: Monday 17 November
Time: 5.30 pm drinks for 6.00 pm seminar
Venue: ECH, 174 Greenhill Rd, Parkside
Presenter: Professor William Mann, the AAG Gary Andrews Travelling Fellow for 2008
Please click here for further details and booking information.
National Report Issue 191
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:
- Disclosure Requirements for Charities
- Aged Care Approvals Round Briefings 2008-09
- National Rental Affordability Scheme Bills
- Charter of rights and responsibilities for Community Care Recipients
- Union Call on Whistleblowers: Clarification
- National Grants Program for Community Respite Care
- Aged Care Police Checks for Supervised Staff
- Centrelink eService Options for Carers
Gastro Kits for Aged Care
Aged care facilities will receive free, specially-designed gastroenteritis awareness and prevention kits this month, to help them respond to possible outbreaks and minimise risks.
The Gastro-Info: Gastroenteritis Kit for Aged Care covers how to:
- Identify the signs and symptoms of a gastroenteritis outbreak;
- Nominate an Outbreak Coordinator to oversee a potential outbreak;
- Engage in infection control practices to prevent outbreaks and proper specimen collection and storage;
- Develop an Outbreak Management Plan for gastroenteritis and influenza before an outbreak occurs;
- Handle food during an outbreak and proper cleaning procedures;
- Inform residents and families in the event of an outbreak; and
- Notify relevant State or Territory health authorities.
The Department of Health and Ageing stress that the gastro kits do not replace State and Territory guidelines, but serve as another resource for guidance.
The National Respite for Carers Program 2008 Funding Round
The Department of Health and Ageing is seeking applications from new and existing service providers for funding to deliver flexible and responsive respite for carers of frail aged Australians¸ carers of people with dementia and carers of people with dementia and challenging behaviour under the National Respite for Carers Program.
Please click here to complete the Applicants Register, which provides access to further information on the application and assessment process.
Applications close on 27 November. Email inquiries here.
National Common Standards for Community Care
Seven draft community care common standards have been endorsed by the Community and Aged Care Officials Working Group (CACO). The draft Standards are broadly in line with existing National Service Standards for the Home and Community Care (HACC) program. They are:
- Efficient and Effective Management
- Access to Services
- Information and Consultation
- Coordinated, Planned and Reliable Service Delivery
- Privacy, Dignity, Confidentiality and Access to Personal Information
- Complaints
- Advocacy
Further information about the draft Standards will be provided to the sector shortly. This will be followed by a pilot of the associated self-assessment reporting tool and guide with a selection of service providers. The draft Standards, reporting tool and guide will then be refined.
The request for tender process (for a consultant to conduct the pilot) will be finalised soon.
Submission on Aged Care Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Bill
ACSA recently submitted comments on the Australian Government’s current Aged Care Bill. Please click here to read the submission.
Aged Care Nursing Scholarships
The Australian Government has announced improvements to its $36 million Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme – including $5,000 a semester to cover course costs, travel, lodging, textbooks and other equipment for postgraduate study.
Other changes to the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme include:
- Allowing enrolled nurses in aged care to join registered nurses in undertaking continuing education scholarships scheme;
- Increasing the number of scholarships awarded annually in recognition of the number of part-time students; and
- Allowing Registered Nurses to access full postgraduate scholarships for study in a Commonwealth supported place.
Click here for further information.
Better Practice 2009
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency are seeking submissions for the Better Practice Events 2009. The deadline for submissions is 24 November 2008. Click here for further information.
Call for papers – ACSA 2009 National Conference
13–16 September 2009, Perth
Are you willing to Get Up and Stand Up for your rights and the rights of the people you support? The Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) 2009 National Conference Organising Committee is seeking papers for presentation addressing one of the three major themes:
- Get Up! Stand Up! – Voice & Vision
- 'Eureka!' – Our Compliance Stockade
- 'Mabo' – Never Give Up
The Call for Papers is designed to allow you to present organisational case studies, individual research and/or best practice projects and practices to your peers and colleagues.
Abstract submissions close 5 pm (WST) Friday 19 December 2008. Papers must be submitted online via the Conference website. Please phone 8 9389 1488 for further information.