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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 7
July 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
Aged Care Survey (Grant Thornton)
It has been over four years since the Hogan Review (Review of Pricing Arrangements in Residential Aged Care 2004) and the intervening period has been one of significant change in the sector. With a new Government and the recent introduction of ACFI, it is timely that a new review be conducted to provide relevant, reliable financial data.
Grant Thornton is undertaking a comprehensive, Australia-wide independent survey of the residential aged care industry to provide invaluable information about industry performance for providers, investors, the Government and the public.
Aged Care Director, Mr Cam Ansell, and Professor Warren Hogan will manage the survey process. 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.
It is imperative that future strategies are supported with relevant and reliable data. The lack of industry financial information remains a major impediment to evaluating industry performance and substantiating the need for change.
The survey will close in mid-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 fill in the survey – please click here to access. Confidentiality has been guaranteed.
ACSA National Conference (Adelaide 28 September – 1 October)
Just in case you are not aware of it, Adelaide is hosting this year’s ACSA national conference – click here for more detailed information about the event. The conference committee has put together a very high quality speaker program – one that will grab people’s attention. Take time to have a good look; you won’t be disappointed.
I also want to remind members that ‘Early Bird’ registration closes on 15 August. This year, in addition to the individual early bird, we have introduced a 4 or more delegates initiative aimed at attracting multiple registrations from ‘groupings’ of members. Click here to register online.
General News
National Report Issue 184
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 in the Fast Lane": Update
- Technology Symposium – The Future of Aged Care Starts Now
- ACIC Capital Survey For Members
- National Infection Control Guidelines for Nursing Homes
- Uniting Aged Care Temporary Takeover of Bridgewater Aged Care
- Aged Care Industry Award Deferred
- Minimum Wage Decision
- Overseas Workers for the Aged Care Sector
- NSW Program of Appliances for Disabled People Funding Boost
- Australian Life Expectancy Rates
- Appeal Against SA Coroner's Court Nursing Home Death Finding Fails
- RCS Statistics – correction
Improving discharge from hospital
As part of our work with the Department of Health, ACS is seeking feedback on activities that make a difference to discharge planning from hospital. Members are asked to forward four key things that have a positive impact and four key things that have a negative impact.
Please email feedback on discharge to residential care to Natasha Searchy. Please email feedback on discharge back to the community setting to Peta Braendler.
Security of Tenure – Principles Challenge
A recent court case challenged the notion that termination of a community or residential aged care agreement is governed solely by the provisions in the Aged Care Act and the Principles. The Russell Kennedy Health & Aged Care Winter 2008 publication has an interesting article covering this in more detail. Please click here to access the article.
Consumer Directed Care
Consumer Directed Care is an emerging model of care in a number of countries which is generating interest in Australia. There are several opportunities in 2008 to explore this topic in more depth.
- A Consumer Directed Care workshop 18–19 August, a joint initiative by Disability SA, Better Practice Project and ACH Group, which will explore how this might work in an Australian context across Disability and Ageing sectors. Click here for the flyer and registration form.
- A concurrent session at the ACSA National Conference 28 September – 1 October in Adelaide. Click here for Conference details.
- An ACS Forum planned for 7 November 2008, which will build on the learnings of the Conference concurrent session and provide the aged care industry with an opportunity to explore the principles and benefits of consumer directed care, consider the policy, legislative and legal implications, and how consumer directed care could be implemented from a provider perspective. ACS will release a discussion paper prior to this event. Put this date in your diary now – further details will be available soon.
Aged Care Critical Issues Forum – 13 August 2008
with Professor Warren Hogan
This forum will provide valuable insight on the latest issues and developments in the aged care sector. It will consist of three parts and refreshments will be served afterwards.
Date: Wednesday 13 August 2008
Time: 3.30–5pm
Venue: Enterprise House, 136 Greenhill Rd, UNLEY SA 5061
RSVP: by Wednesday 6 August 2008 to Lee Trogan, phone 08 8372 6564 or email.
Please click here for the invitation flyer.
Free electronic calendar for small businesses
A new electronic calendar is now available from the Tax Office, to help small businesses, bookkeepers and tax agents better manage their tax lodgement and payment deadlines during the year. It provides reminders of lodgement due dates.
The calendar is available on CD by phoning 13 72 26 or can be downloaded from the ATO website
Office of Rural Health established
An Office of Rural Health has been established to drive rural health reform – it will be located in the Department of Health and Ageing, Primary and Ambulatory Care Division. The Office will draw together rural workforce and rural service delivery programs, and will provide a focus for the reform of federal rural health policy and programs.
Click here for further information.
Life Care Photographic Exhibition at ACS
Celebrating the Arts in Aged Care
5 August – 19 September
ACS Training Rooms
Last year, residents of Life Care Roselin Court, Joslin, completed 'Memories: Then and Now', a photographic project undertaken in collaboration with Alzheimers Australia (SA) and with support from the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters.
This highly innovative project enabled residents to photograph and record their memories of key sites in the local area. Highlighting the importance of memory and places in our lives, an exhibition of this project will be held in the ACS Training Rooms from 5 August to 19 September.
This exhibition acknowledges that our older residents can be active, creative contributors to the arts and to their community. It will coincide with the SA Living Artists (SALA) Festival (1–17 August), a state-wide celebration of art and artists of all ages.
Changes to the WorkCover Scheme
The South Australian Parliament passed some significant legislative amendments to the WorkCover Scheme, some of which commenced on 1 July 2008.
The WorkCover Scheme – A Guide to the Changes outlines the main changes and their implementation dates. Click here to access.
Churchill Fellowship awarded to South Australian Ian Hardy
Ian Hardy, CEO of Helping Hand in SA, has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship, which he will use to research and study consumer-directed aged care policy in the UK, Germany, Austria and Japan.
The Churchill Fellowship aims to support selected Australians to further their search for excellence in their chosen field. Ian noted that this opportunity "will provide the chance to see and experience first hand the benefits and challenges of a consumer-directed approach to aged care" (Helping Hand Aged Care Newsletter).
News for Residential Members
Additional Accreditation Agency Visits to Commence
The Australian Government’s Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency will undertake a record 7,000 visits to the nation’s 2,870 nursing homes during the next year (from 1 July). More than 3000 of these visits will be unannounced.
For more information click here.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Recalls
The TGA has announced a recall of 20 Fr Ponsky Non Balloon Replacement Gastrostomy Tubes. For further information, phone Bard Australia Pty Ltd, 1800 257 232.
Aged Care Access Initiative
The Aged Care Access Initiative, which commenced on 1 July, aims to improve access to primary care services for residents of Commonwealth-funded aged care facilities through two separate components:
- A GP incentive payment to encourage GPs to provide increased and continuing services in residential aged care facilities; and
- A payment for clinical care services provided by Allied Health Professionals in RACFs, where these services are not currently covered by Medicare or other government funding arrangements such as residential aged care subsidies.
Click here for further information on the Initiative.
Accreditation
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency has reported that the process for self assessment for accreditation will be the same as previous years. There are some minor changes such as modification to the prompts and directions as to what outcomes are required. The latest tool will soon be available for download from the Agency’s website; it will no longer be necessary to send in a copy of your vision, site plans, resident handbook or CI plan.
Please remember that if you use an electronic care planning system you need to notify the agency and arrange temporary passwords for auditors that will enable access to documentation.
National guidelines for nursing homes
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs. Justine Elliot, has announced a plan in response to recent gastro-outbreaks in nursing homes.
It involves:
- a review of the accreditation standards on infection control;
- development of a gastro awareness and prevention education kit; and
- development of new national guidelines regarding norovirus – a common and highly infectious cause of gastroenteritis in nursing homes.
This new plan will build on the new Food Safety Standard, which comes into effect on 5 October 2008 and mandates a requirement for nursing homes to implement a food safety plan.
The Department of Health and Ageing is developing a national communication strategy for more rapid information flow between nursing homes, public health authorities and the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme, about outbreaks of infectious diseases.
According to the Minister, the accreditation standards will also be reviewed and staff training in infection control will be monitored by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
The Department will begin discussions with key stakeholders about these changes and other aspects of reviewing the Standards at the Ageing Consultative Committee scheduled for 7 August 2008.
New standards will cover how homes can reduce the likelihood of an outbreak and stop the spread of an outbreak. The new standards will also ensure proper hydration of residents who are unwell and minimising contact with sick residents to reduce person-to-person spread.
The Department of Health and Ageing will develop a Gastro Awareness and Prevention Education Kit in consultation with key stakeholders. The kit will include State and Territory contact information, as these are the authorities responsible for managing outbreaks of infectious disease.
New national guidelines specifically on norovirus
The Department of Health and Ageing is working with the States and Territories on new national, consistent guidelines regarding prevention and management of norovirus. These are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care has commissioned the National Health and Medical Research Council to revise the national infection control guidelines. The revised guidelines will aim to provide sector-specific guidance on infection control best practice, including nursing homes.
ACFI Update
The ACS Residential Care Committee is currently undertaking analysis of AFCI data submitted by members to evaluate the likely financial impact of ACFI. Results of this analysis will be available soon.
Chronic wound in ACFI 12
To score on this item there is a mandatory requirement of a diagnosis (or ACCR reference); therefore a medical assessment is required. While there is no exact ruling on when a wound becomes chronic, according to the Department of Health and Ageing website, the inclusion of the three main categories of wounds (venous, diabetic and pressure wounds) can be used as a guide.
Question: signing of records/logs
When 'a record' is indicated, does this mean a signing log is required each time a hot pack etc. is applied?
Answer
According to the Department of Health and Ageing website, the ACFI record-keeping requirements are defined and comprise the completed ACFI appraisal pack including the specified enclosures.
In addition, post-appraisal treatment records for some of the specific complex health care procedures in ACFI 12 can be requested as part of the validation process. This applies where there is a claim relating to any of the following items in ACFI 12 (Complex Health Procedures):
- Daily blood pressure measurement.
- Daily blood glucose measurement.
- Pain management involving therapeutic massage or application of heat packs.
- Complex pain management by an allied health professional or registered nurse. This will involve therapeutic massage and/or pain management involving technical equipment.
- Complex pain management by an allied health professional. This will involve therapeutic massage and/or pain management involving technical equipment.
- Administration of suppositories or enemas.
- Management of chronic wounds.
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs.
For these procedures, on validation, you can be asked to produce the treatment record to demonstrate that the treatment was a usual care need at the time of appraisal. (p.26 User Guide). Records for the above list of procedures would need to be dated, signed and position identified.
Reminder: KPMG ACFI advice starts
A reminder that KPMG has now set up a project office to assist aged care facilities in making the transition to new funding arrangements. KPMG's services will focus on business advisory services and will not provide technical assistance in the interpretation of ACFI guidelines and the classification of residents.
KPMG can help with:
- the financial modelling of the likely impact of transition to ACFI on individual aged care providers
- strategic planning and related budget activities
- business analysis and operational reviews
- the review and redesign of administrative arrangements for transition to ACFI
- the availability of alternative funding sources (e.g. Government grants and loans) and provision of advice to aged care providers on potential options for additional assistance, including information on capital grant applications, viability supplement, etc
- analysis and recommendations on human resource management (e.g. rostering)
- preparation of a detailed written report for the approved provider outlining the issues identified and services provided.
Please direct requests to the dedicated webpage, phone 1-800-633-719 or email.
News for Community Providers
Quality Reporting Program – second cycle
The second cycle of the Quality Reporting Program for the Community Aged Care Package (CACP), the Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH), the Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) and the National Respite for Carers Programs (NRCP) began this month.
The second cycle of quality reporting will be similar to the previous cycle, but will also report on police check requirements for staff and volunteers who work in community aged care services. It will also report feedback on previous improvement plans.
Click here for further information about Quality Reporting.
Census of Community Care Aged Programs 2007–2008
The Department of Health and Ageing has released a Fact Sheet which provides an update on the Community Aged Care Census. Click here for a copy.
Fee Guide for Commonwealth Funded Aged Care Packages (formerly called CACP Fee Guide)
A copy of the Fee Guide for Providers of Commonwealth Funded Aged Care Packages, revised edition July 2008, was recently sent to members on the ACS Fee Guide distribution list. If you wish to be added to this list, and to receive a copy, please contact Peta Braendler on 8338 7111 or email.
Volunteer news
Volunteers and Tax Guide
The Australian Tax Office’s (ATO) updated guide on volunteers and tax outlines the tax treatment of transactions between not-for-profit organisations and their volunteers. Click here to access the guide.
Active Volunteering Certificates information session
Active Volunteering Certificates recognise the training, skills and experience volunteers gain through their volunteer work (and other life experiences). To find out more attend the information session:
Date: Thursday 21 August 2008
Time: 10am to 12pm
Venue: John Harvey Gallery, City of Salisbury (light refreshments provided)
Contact: Sue Leckie phone (08) 8406 8566 or email.
Northern Territory News
NT radiation oncology moves one step closer
The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have reached another key milestone in the development of the Radiation Oncology Unit (ROU), announcing Royal Adelaide Hospital as the preferred provider.
The Royal Adelaide Hospital have been providing outreach specialist services to the NT for many years, and will be providing expert advice regarding the design of the building to ensure it meets the specialised needs of the service. Early preparations have commenced and construction will begin by late 2008.
Research, Publications and Grants
Southern Aboriginal Aged Care Services Directory
The Council of Aboriginal Elders of South Australia Inc has put together this Directory; it aims to inform Aboriginal elders and service providers of the services available to support older aboriginal people, potential clients and service providers.
The directory identities Aboriginal-specific services, non-Government, State and Federal Government services. A website has been developed to support the directory – click here.
You can obtain copies of the booklet from the Council of Aboriginal Elders of SA by phoning (08) 8367 0783.
South Australia: Our Health and Health Services Report
This report is the first publication to provide a comprehensive picture of the health status of South Australians. The report uses population health information and an extensive array of other health and demographic data to illustrate how risk factors associated with lifestyle choices, socioeconomic circumstances and environmental conditions can lead to ill health.
It also contains information on the health services and facilities that serve the people of South Australia and the initiatives that will lead to improvements in health and wellbeing.
Click here for a copy of the report.
Updated Superannuation publications
Non-Profit News Service No. 0206 – The Australian Tax Office has a range of publications to help employers and employees understand their superannuation obligations and rights.
These can be accessed by clicking here.
2008 National Continence Scholarship – last chance to apply
The Australian Government, under the National Continence Management Strategy, has provided funding for a total of eight scholarships to support continence health professionals to attend the 17th National Conference on Incontinence, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania, from 5-8 November 2008.
Applications close Friday, 1 August 2008.
For more information please contact Mary Trezise on 03 9347 2522 or click here.
Conference news
Dementia and Recreation National Conference 2008
15–16 October 2008
Melbourne
The key note presentation will address the constant emotional challenge that dementia presents for clients, staff and families/friends. The ability to address one’s emotional response to the challenges and pleasures so often associated with dementia is a key to establishing an optimum living/working environment. This session will underpin the debates, discussions and deliberations throughout the conference.
Please click on the links for the full Conference Program and Registration Form.
Health in Transition – Researching for the Future Conference
16-20 August 2009
Adelaide
This international conference is on community health nursing research – click here for more information.
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 Program
The full events program for 2008 is available for viewing on the ACS Website. Registration forms for the events will be placed on the website as they are prepared, as well as being sent to members. Please mark this page as a bookmark and return to it regularly to view any changes and additions.
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
New training places under Productivity Places Program
Nearly 14,000 job seekers have enrolled in fast-tracked places made available in Phase I of the Productivity Places Program. Phase II of the program will see an extra 22,000 places for courses, from Certificate II to Diploma levels. The program will also be expanded to provide training for those already employed.
Click here for further information.
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