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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 5
May 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 the Communications Officer with your contact details and you will be issued with your access details.
Index
From the CEO's Desk
Federal budget 2008
The ACSA National Report circulated last week provided details of budget measures, the most important being extension of the Conditional Adjustment Payment (CAP) for another (minimum) 12 months. The additional 1.75 percent is of course welcome but hardly addresses the longer term need for a sustainable indexation system. What is important is that it buys us time and, coupled with the announcement that CAP is to be reviewed, gives us an opportunity to again press the case for a sustainable indexation arrangement.
The CAP review is to report in October this year and the government will be calling for submissions shortly. ACS SA&NT, if it doesn’t decide to prepare its own submission, will fully support the ACSA efforts to develop a national submission.
National lobbying
Recognising that the next nine months represent an important period for policy development for the Government, given announcements about reviews of CAP and planning ratios, ACS SA&NT has decided that it is imperative that its views be articulated to Minister Elliot and other SA based federal politicians.
Rob Hankins (Chair), Richard Hearn (Deputy Chair) and I will make a trip to Canberra on 28 May to make our views known as widely as possible.
In our view it is imperative that we support the efforts undertaken on our behalf by ACSA. Our objective is to ensure we get some outcomes in line with the policy position the Aged Care Industry Council adopted for the last election.
National Community Care conference
The recent Community Care conference was a very worthwhile event with a number of excellent plenary speakers. The issue of consumer directed care was raised in different contexts throughout the conference and there was a general interest amongst delegates that the approach warranted further serious consideration.
ACS SA&NT is planning a forum later in the year around this subject, having also recognised its potential as an alternative model of care based on the premise that the recipient retains control.
There was a fascinating presentation featuring research work undertaken by IPSOS- Eureka Social Research Institute around workforce. Apart from the insightful comparative analysis of the situation in Australia with that in UK, USA and Canada, the research also highlighted the strengths of the sector in Australia, which it suggested we should focus on with regard to retention and recruitment strategies. I would suggest that you visit the ACSA website to look at the presentation material.
Regional forum
A very good program has been organised for this year’s regional gathering in Adelaide on May 30. Apart from the updates from the ACS office staff, DoHA and Country Health, the regional forum program also features an ACFI update and a session about getting to know your local media with Peter Goers from ABC 891 radio. There are also concurrent sessions looking at regional training needs, food safety and the abuse and neglect of older people in a community context, from the legal and practical perspectives.
General News
Last call for committee nominations
If you have not yet submitted your nomination to join one of the five ACS committees, remember the deadline is close of business Monday, May 26.
Selection is based on knowledge, expertise and skills relevant to the particular committee, rather than as a representative of a particular organisation. Individuals nominating for committee positions must be employees of an organisation that is a member, or industry supporter, of ACS SA & NT.
New appointments to the committees commence on July 1 2008 and will be for a three-year term, except for those filling casual vacancies to replace members who have resigned mid-term.
Committee nominees should read the Terms of Reference, in conjunction with the Explanatory Memorandum, providing general information relevant to all Committees. Both are available, along with nomination forms, in the Members Only section of the website.
Health Care Act
The Health Care Act 2008 has recently been passed by the South Australian Parliament. The primary purpose of this Act is to streamline governance structures across the SA public health system. As part of the Act, residential aged care services have been defined as health services.
ACS has obtained advice from Sonia Bolzon, of Lynch Meyer Lawyers, on whether there may be implications for residential aged care services wherever the term ‘health service’ is mentioned in the Act.
ACS Members can access the advice by clicking here.
Veterans to be put at ease
Recognising the value of online information and tools in reaching younger veterans and serving members, the federal Government has launched At Ease, a website designed to raise awareness and improve mental health in the veteran and service community.
Supporting materials have also been developed for health providers and for staff of the Department of Veterans' Affairs who work with veteran and Defence Force clients.
Click here to access the At Ease website.
Dementia research forum
The second Annual National Dementia Research Forum will be held at the Wesley Conference Centre in Sydney on September 18-19, 2008.
The program includes four international speakers and avariety of sessions: plenaries, workshops, poster sessions, a hypothetical, a breakfast with the experts and a working lunch for emerging researchers.
Click here for a program, registration form and call for poster abstracts.
Please note that the call for abstracts will close June 13 and early bird registrations close June 16.
Wound care resource kits
About 50,000 Wound Care Resource Kits will be distributed nationally to general practitioners, pharmacies, community nursing agencies, residential aged care services and other health care professionals.
The kit contains the latest treatment information on 12 types of wounds that are common among veterans, war widows and other older Australians and will assist health professionals to decide the most effective way to treat wounds.
It includes an updated wound care wall chart, as well as a new pocket reference guide and a CD-ROM, offering electronic and portable formats.
National Report Issue 179
The latest edition of the National Report - a special Budget issue - is now available from the members only section. Click here to download.
Issues covered in the latest edition include:
- Older people escape the razor - for now
- CAP for another Year
- Aged Care Federal Election Commitments
- Workforce Initiatives
- Capital Initiative
- Transition care
- Allocation and Planning Review
- Ministerial Council on Ageing
- Community Care
- Veteran’s Affairs
- Disability Policy
Palliative care nurses conference
The second Biennial National Palliative Care Nurses Australia Conference, with the theme Leading and Learning will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide on September 12-13.
Click here for further information.
ACSA awards
A reminder that nominations for the ACSA Annual Awards for Excellence close on Friday June 6.
Winners will be announced at this year’s ACSA National Conference, Aged Care in the Fast Lane, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, September 28-October 1.
Any queries about the awards should be directed to Heather Stevens at Aged & Community Services Australia or telephone (03) 9686 3460.
Click here for 2008 criteria and nomination forms.
News for Residential Members
Respecting patient choices in the north
The Central Northern Adelaide Health Service has directed funding for the Respecting Patient Choices Program at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) from January to June 2009.
This will allow the program to be rolled out to residential care facilities and service providers in the catchment region.
Training commences on June 19 and 24. If you are interested in participating in the program please email Marion Seal or telephone 8222 7461 or 8222 8498.
Validation
Staff at the ACS office have heard anecdotal data about issues arising from validation audits. If you have experienced an issue that you feel that your peak body needs to be aware of please feel free to contact Natasha Searcy or 8338 7111.
Conditional adjustment payment
The federal Government has announced the CAP will increase by 1.75 percent to 8.75 percent. It will shortly undertake a review of the CAP, which it expects to conclude by the end of October 2008.
Aged care providers and their representatives will be invited to make written submissions to the review in July 2008.
Click here to access the Government media release.
News for Community Providers
Access Points FAQ
Click here to access Frequently Asked Questions for the South Australian Community Care Access Points Project: Home Care Connect.
The FAQ has been developed based on questions raised in consultation sessions and by email from the sector and consumers.
Additional information on SA Community Care Access Points and Community Care, including the OFTA Community Care Reform Newsletters, can be found on the Office for the Ageing website.
Home Care Connect implementation, with a limited number of clients and referral service providers, commenced May 5 2008.
Further questions can be sent to Sylvia Brideoake, Senior Project Officer, Community Care Reform Team, OFTA.
Reprieve for respite and carelink funding
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot recently announced a three year extension for funding agreements under the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) and Commonwealth Carelink Program that were due to expire on June 30 2008.
Click here to access the federal Government media release.
Ongoing funding arrangements for one-off initiatives and pilot projects funded under the NRCP, such as the Employed Carer Innovative Pilots, will fall under separate arrangements.
More specific advice about ongoing funding for these initiatives will be communicated to relevant organisations in the near future.
Community Services training package
Click here to access the latest update bulletin of the Community Services training package CHC02. It includes details of stakeholder feedback and project timelines.
Quality improvement forum
Don't forget the Quality Improvement forum, Overcome the Barriers, will be held on Wednesday June 4, 9.30am-4.00pm, at the Stables Ballroom, Camden Park
Click here for the flyer and registration form.
ACFI Update
Comprehensive medical assessments
One question that continues to cause confusion and angst in the industry is:
Are comprehensive medical assessments a necessary requirement for all patients in a residential care facility?
According to the ACFI frequently asked questions on the Department of Health and Ageing website the answer is:
No. A CMA is a voluntary service for residents of aged care homes. It involves a personal attendance by the resident's GP to undertake a full systems review, including an assessment of the resident's health and physical and psychological function.
Information gathered during a CMA may be used as evidence to support ACFI questions. For example, diagnoses made or clinical assessments performed in the course of the CMA may be used by the approved provider as evidence of particular care needs.
A CMA should only be performed where the medical practitioner believes it is appropriate and it complies with the Medicare Benefits Schedule guidelines. Please refer to page 49 of the November 2007 Medicare Benefits Schedule, Item 712, for any further detail on this matter. Click here to download.
There also appears to be some confusion regarding the need to reconfirm diagnosis every twelve months. As per the ACFI User Guide (p13 Mental and behavioural diagnosis & p15 Medical diagnosis), the minimum requirements for a diagnosis to be accepted as evidence is that the documentation must identify the name and profession of the health professional who has confirmed the diagnosis, and it must be dated.
Page 14 of the User Guide identifies four Mental and Behavioural disorders that must be less than twelve months old. The Mental and Behavioural diagnosis/ provisional diagnosis or reconfirmation of the diagnosis must have been completed in the past twelve months for the following four disorders:
- Code 540 - Delirium.
- Code 550A - Depression, mood and affective disorders.
- Code 550B - Psychoses, eg schizophrenia, paranoid states.
- Code 560 - Neurotic, stress related, anxiety, somatoform disorders, eg post traumatic stress disorder, phobic and anxiety disorders, nervous tension/stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
These four disorders are the only conditions that require a diagnosis (provisional or reconfirmation of the diagnosis) to have been completed in the past twelve months.
To download more frequently asked questions please click here.
News for the Retirement Sector
Architecture for older Australians
The challenges involved in improving architecture for the growing population of older Australians and those with disabilities form the basis of a new book from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA).
The book, Take 6 Beyond Beige: improving architecture for older people and people with disabilities, looks at key issues such as:
- Planning communities for an ageing population and recent trends in this sector.
- Housing baby boomers.
- Designing new buildings for the mentally challenged.
The book also questions whether design of assisted aged care housing in Australia is good enough, and offers inspiring examples of seniors-friendly projects in Australia and offshore.
The book costs $44 plus $5 postage and is available from ARCHITEXT - the RAIA Bookshop, Phone 03 8620 3814 or fax 03 8620 3894.
Click here for more information.
Northern Territory News
Electronic prescriptions improve aged care services
The NT Government says implementation of the nation’s first fully electronic prescription service in Darwin is delivering improvements in aged care.
Doctors at Terrace Gardens Aged Care are using wireless enabled IT equipment at patient bedsides to transfer prescriptions to pharmacies participating in the new Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions service.
Dr Leonie Katekar, CEO of Top End Division of General Practice, said health organisations nationally will be keenly observing this eHealth NT initiative for its potential to transform the whole medication process in the Aged Care Sector.
The program is jointly funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and the NT Department of Health and Community Services.
Rural & Regional news
Combined regional forum
It's not too late to sign up for the 2008 combined regional forum on aged care in rural and remote SA, to be held on Friday, May 30 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The forum will feature a briefing on the latest issues from ACS staff and DoHA; tips on saving money from CCI Group Purchasing; an ACFI update for residential care providers; Nino DiSisto, from Country Health SA, on MPS progress; and a session on getting some good news on the industry into the media, with ABC radio personality Peter Goers.
Afternoon concurrent sessions offer the options of Directions in Community Care, Food Safety Program and a focus on training needs.
Click here for a full program and here for a registration form.
Volunteer news
Volunteers and tax
The Tax Office has released a new version of Volunteers and tax to assist non-profit organisations explain the tax treatment of transactions that commonly occur between them and their volunteers.
Payments such as honoraria, allowances and reimbursements are explained, plus guidance on GST, FBT and PAYG withholding obligations involving volunteers.
Click here to view the guide.
Publications and Grants
Foundation for rural and regional renewal
A small grants program offering $250,000 to assist in caring for the aged in rural Australia is available from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Grants may range from $100 up to $10,000.
Not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding for projects and activities that directly benefit the ageing population in their community, or that help redress disadvantage caused by remoteness.
The closing date for applications is August 12 2008. Click here for further information.
Health and welfare of ATSI peoples
The Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have released a joint report,The Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2008, indicating some improvement in the health and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Despite this, the mortality rates of Indigenous people in 2001-5 were almost three times the rate for non-Indigenous people in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Report contains a detailed section on aged care, with data on residential and community package recipients.
Click here to download the report.
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.
Financial Aspects of Resident Admission for Rural Providers
Date: May 29
Time: 1.00-4.00pm
Venue: ACS
training room, 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
This seminar will address specific issues relating to resident admissions within rural areas. Including:
- Strategies to maximise bonds
- Bonds and their impact on Centre link and cash flow
- Calculation and analysis of ongoing fees and accommodation charges
- 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
Click here for a registration form.
PowerPoint Advanced
Date: June 2
Time: 9.00am-5.00pm
Venue: Innovation House, Mawson Lakes
This course is designed for participants who have some prior experience of using Microsoft Powerpoint.
After completing this course, students will be able to: insert and modify clip art in a presentation; use various drawing objects; create slide masters; create animations; create and use templates and colour schemes; insert movie clips and sound waves and work with action buttons; and create tables, charts and diagrams in a presentation.
Click here for a registration form.
Zero Tolerance - Recognising and addressing the abuse and neglect of older people
Dates: June 16 1.00-4.00pm
Venue: ACS
training room, 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
Conducted by Anglicare SA
Click
here for a registration form.
Ideal for all staff, Board members, key personnel and new managers. Anglicare SA's Zero Tolerance - recognising and addressing the abuse and neglect of older people program assists individuals and agencies to meet their legal and moral obligations for notification of abuse of the elderly. The training program provides essential education in recognising and addressing the broader scope of elder abuse to ensure a preventative approach is adopted within all service delivery settings. The training also provides strategies to effectively deal with instances of elder abuse that may occur. The training program covers:
- The attitudes and values of participants and the impact when considering whether behaviour is abusive.
- The definitions and context for what constitutes abuse of the elderly.
- The legislative context in Australia for reporting abuse and neglect, including the responsibilities of individuals.
- The importance of collaborative practices in responding to the abuse of the elderly.
The training package is presented as an interactive workshop, utilising case scenarios and applies the adult learning principles as well as having the tick of approval for its Learning, Literacy and Numeracy content.
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
Challenges to HR - issues for an ageing workforce
A seminar for anyone interested in assisting best practice and wellbeing in the workplace will run on Tuesday July 22, 9.15am-1pm, at the Adelaide Oval Langley Room.
Contact Christopher on 8210 8102 for bookings or more information.
Advanced Diploma of Nursing
Enrolled Nurses can further their training with an Advanced Diploma of Nursing from Celtic Training.
Click here for details.
Institute of Hospitality in Health Care
IHHC Country Seminar
VINE INN, 14-24 Murray Street, NURIOOTPA
It is with pleasure we can now announce details of this years IHHC Country seminar. This popular event returns to Nuriootpa in July this year and we look forward to providing an informative seminar for our country members and interested parties. This is an opportunity for some great networking and to meet new friends who have a common goal in the provision of excellence in Hospitality Services within our Hospitals and Aged Care sectors.
We look forward to seeing you there on Monday July 7 2008. Online registrations will be available from Friday May 30 on our website.
For further information contact John Boland (Chairman) on 08 83370488 or Kathy Manning (Secretary) on 08 82945555.
An IHHC National Conference not to be missed
27th IHHC International Conference 2008
Sun Surf & Support Services
Holiday Inn, Gold Coast, Queensland
September 10-12 2008.
A conference not to be missed. IHHC conferences have proven their popularity through large attendances over the years and I have no doubt this years conference, which will have an International flair to it will, again prove worthwhile.
Further information on the conference program and travel details are now available on the website (For any enquiries, contact Ann Usher, Conference Coordinator 07 3163 8043 or
0419 714 134)
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:
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 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