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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 11
November 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
Vale Ross Leslie Walker MBE, OAM
After a lengthy battle with cancer and its associated illnesses, Ross Walker died on Friday 7 November. Ross was the first CEO of Aged and Community Services Australia.
Kelvin Dickens, the former President of ACS SA & NT from 1987 to 1992, has written a tribute to Ross. Please click here to access the tribute.
Consumer Directed Care (CDC) Forum
ACS hosted a well-attended CDC Forum on 7 November which featured both local and interstate speakers and consumer representatives. The Forum had several purposes:
- ensure that the Association was better informed about CDC from different perspectives (provider, legal, academic and career);
- explore potential options and operational considerations; and
- act as a catalyst for the Association to develop a position for the ACS Board to consider.
A draft principles paper, which will lead to the development of a policy paper, will be presented to the ACS Board for consideration in December. We also intend to share this with the ACS Federation, as South Australia/Northern Territory is further advanced than other states in leading the debate.
Papers from the Forum are available on the ACS website if you wish to become more familiar with the new paradigm that is becoming a matter of real interest within the sector. There are many other papers available to help gain a better understanding of CDC; please click on the links for the ACSA CDC Discussion paper and a CDC paper by Anna Howe.
Information gathered from the Forum will be available soon - members will be notifed in upcoming Snippets publications.
Arts, Ageing and Creativity: Unlocking the potential . . . conference
ACS is hosting this two-day conference in conjunction with the International Society for Arts in Dementia. The Conference aims to broaden the understanding of the potential of the arts within the sector. A number of international speakers have been invited and Federal and State Ministers for Arts and Ageing will also be invited, as we are keen to see an expansion of the policy framework and support programs that currently exist.
Watch out for the conference program details in future Snippets editions but in the meantime mark your diaries now: 22 and 23 October 2009 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Draft Strategy for Planning Country Health Services in SA
The Government has released the draft strategy and is consulting with regional communities during the period leading up to the closing of Submissions on 5 December.
ACS has formed a Task Force to work on its response. If any members have specific views and/or concerns about the document we would love to hear from you. Please ring the office and speak with me or email us your comments.
When completed we will post our response on the ACS website.
Affordable Housing Forum - for members only
In February this year, the ACS Retirement Housing Committee surveyed members in the retirement housing sector to discover which information and industry intelligence they would like delivered - 80% of respondents asked for more information on affordable housing.
On Friday 5 December 2008, the Committee presents a superb program of speakers on affordable housing to bring you the very latest thinking and information. Hear from your colleagues, local government, national body and architects.
I strongly encourage you to attend the Forum and to advise all relevant staff of the last retirement housing event for 2008.
Please note that a 10% discount on the full fee ($130) is available for two or more staff from the same organisation.
Date: Friday 5 December
Time: 9 am-1 pm, followed by lunch
Venue: Morphettville Junction Centre
Please click here for the full program and registration form.
General News
National Report Issue 192
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:
- ACSA National Housing Report
- Aged Care Amendment (2008 Measures No 2) Bill
- Senate Inquiry into Residential and Community Care: Terms of Reference
- HACC in Tasmania and Beyond
- Eldercare SA - Employer of The Year
- ACH Employee Business Innovation Award Winner for South Australia.
- Aged Care Commissioner Annual Report
- National Respite for Carers Program 2008 Funding Round
- Deeming Rates to be Lowered, and Other Payment Details
- Disability Services Ministers' Conference
New DVD resource available: An Introduction to Aged Care
Due to the popularity of the ACSA 2008 Conference DVD Aged Care in the Fast Lane, an edited version (minus specific references to the Conference) is now available for purchase from ACS SA & NT.
A useful addition to any organisation’s resources, An Introduction to Aged Care will complement training sessions, staff induction programs, Board briefings and more.
The DVD costs $19.80 including GST and postage and handling within Australia. Please click here for the order form.
ACS information session – Understanding Aged Care Admissions
ACS is planning an evening for interested members and their waiting list clients, to provide more information to clients about admissions to aged care facilities. The session will be held on Monday, 23 February 2009 – if you have families or individuals on your waiting list who would benefit from such an evening, ACS would love to hear from you.
The program will include two examples of members' admissions policies, priorities and hints and tips to make the process as smooth as possible and what to expect when moving into an aged care facility. ACS silver sponsor MBFS will also outline the financial implications including costs involved, how pensions are affected and what options there are for individuals’ homes.
Kellie Kulinski (Business Development Manager) 8338 8004 will be contacting Admission Managers with more information, including an invitation to have a display for the event. Please contact Kellie with any queries.
Independent review of aged care workforce initiatives in the Northern Territory
As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to Indigenous aged care, Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, announced an independent review of three Government aged care workforce initiatives in the Northern Territory.
The evaluation will include identifying the outcomes of the 319 aged care jobs that were previously Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) positions.
The review would evaluate:
- the transition of community development placements to paid positions in community aged care services;
- the delivery of training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care workers; and
- the development of training resources and other workforce supports such as policy and procedures manuals.
Please click here for the full media release.
Reminder: 2009 Aged Care Approvals Round
A reminder that the 2009 ACAR round will be advertised this month with applications closing in December 2008 and announced outcomes expected around June 2009.
Eldercare awarded Employer of the Year
On behalf of ACS SA&NT we warmly congratulate Eldercare and all those involved in making sure that Eldercare is a safe workplace - the organisation recently won Employer of the Year at the 2008 Safe Work Awards. CEO Klaus Zimmerman noted that the award came as a result of the concerted efforts of everyone in the organisation.
The Industrial Relations Minister, Paul Caica, presented the award at the Safe Work Annual Dinner on 7 November. Eldercare was acknowledged for its proactive approach to managing workplace injury and detailed programs to prevent falls and manual handling injuries.
Please click here to read Klaus Zimmerman's memo to staff regarding the award.
Extended prescriptions and new medicines
Many people with chronic illnesses such as ulcerative colitis, chronic pain, schizophrenia and diabetes, will benefit from the convenience of doctors now being able to prescribe some PBS medicines for a 12-month period. More medicines will be added in December and January.
Click here for information about Government-subsidised medicines through the PBS.
Boosting Australia’s GP Workforce
The Government will invest $148 million to establish new GP training places, allowing 175 additional new doctors to begin training over the next two years.
There will be 75 new GP training places in 2009 and 100 new places in 2010, bringing the total number of places to 675 in 2009, and 700 in 2010.
The most recent Medical Workforce Survey, released in October 2008, showed that the overall supply of primary care practitioners fell from 101 to 97 full-time equivalents per 100,000 population between 2002 and 2006.
The process for applying for the GP training places is available through the Australian General Practice Training program website.
2009 Nurse Practitioner Scholarships
Applications for the 2009 Nurse Practitioner Scholarships are now open. The scholarships will provide up to $15,000 a year for two years to nurses to upgrade their skills to become nurse practitioners.
Nurse practitioners have responsibility for complex decisions about patient care, and work in a diverse range of areas, including emergency departments, community health centres, mental health services and paediatrics.
Scholarship applications are available from the Royal College of Nursing Australia’s website. Further information for nurses is also available by phoning 1300 733 314.
The Continence Aids Assistance Scheme
The Australian Government has simplified the application form for the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme – a program that helps people with the cost of pads and other personal continence products. The scheme was expanded last year to include people aged five years or over whose incontinence is caused by an eligible neurological condition.
The seven neurological condition categories are:
- Spina Bifida and Syringomyelia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Intellectual Disability
- Paraplegia and Quadriplegia
- Acquired Neurological Conditions
- Degenerative Neurological Diseases, and
- Bladder (and bowel) Innervation Disorders.
The expanded scheme also allows people with a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card access to the scheme if their incontinence was caused by other conditions. Click here for further information or call Intouch on 1300 366 455 or the Department of Health and Ageing on 1800 807 487.
For information on the National Continence Management Strategy click here. The National Continence Helpline is staffed by a team of Continence Nurse Advisors, who provide prompt, confidential and professional advice to callers from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday, on 1800 33 00 66. The National Public Toilet Map is available here.
New professional codes of ethics for nursing and midwifery
The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council has launched four new Codes for the nursing and midwifery professions which comprise the following:
1. Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia
2. Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia
3. Code of Ethics for Midwives in Australia
4. Code of Professional Conduct for Midwives in Australia
Please click here for a copy of the Codes, effective 3 November 2008.
Grant Thornton Survey seminar – findings in more detail
This seminar will explore the findings from the Grant Thornton Aged Care Survey in greater detail; particularly expanding on:
- benchmarked revenues and costs
- the impact of economies of scale in service size and portfolio
- present geographical trends in performance and construction costs
- recommendations and the implications of "consumer directed care" and the unbundling of aged care services
- response from industry and the Government and the strategies being developed.
Date: Wednesday 10 December
Time: 3–5 pm
Venue: Enterprise House, 136 Greenhill Rd, Unley
RSVP: by 3 December to Lee Tregloan, phone 8372 6666
Please click here for further information.
Solar Keratosis information
Solar Keratosis affects approximately 40-60% of the Australian Caucasian population over 40 years old. Many people with Solar Keratosis are seniors who have developed the condition as a result of prolonged sun exposure in their younger years. It is therefore important that they are aware of the condition, understand the risk factors, and see their doctor should they think they may have Solar Keratosis lesions. As Solar Keratoses could potentially lead to skin cancer if left untreated, it is important that they are diagnosed and managed early.
Please click here for further information.
News for Residential Members
.
Base Interest Rates for accommodation bonds
The Base Interest Rate applicable to ‘refund periods’ for accommodation bonds that commence on or after 17 November 2008 has been amended to 5.0% per annum. Please click here for details.
For further information, contact the Aged Care Information Line 1800 500 853.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Recalls
Please click here for a summary Safety Notice for October 2008.
There is also a Safety Alert issued for HAAG Streit Tonometer Prisms used with a tonometer and slit lamp for the examination and diagnosis of diseases of the human eye – please click here for further information.
Home receives notice of Non-Compliance regarding police checks
The Department of Health and Ageing issued a formal Notice of Non-Compliance to a NSW aged care facility in relation to:
- the failure to report an alleged assault
- the employment of staff without proper police checks; and
- providing misleading information in regard to police checks.
During October, the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency identified nine staff with expired police checks.
New online learning module for medical staff in palliative care
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new online learning module to support general practitioners, practice nurses and general practice managers in the delivery of palliative care in aged care homes.
The activities are available through the RACGP’s online education portal gplearning and Category 2 QA&CPD points are available to GPs who complete the training.
Click here for further information.
ACFI Update
KPMG
KPMG have been allocated $3 million to advise providers about how they can restructure their business in line with the new funding instrument. So far KPMG has received 75 telephone inquiries, 54 email inquiries and 27 applications for assistance.
Those applications for assistance are then prioritised against a set of criteria such as facility size and location. Against these criteria, 11 providers have been prioritised for assistance. Of those 11, five are currently receiving assistance and six have just been prioritised and will be receiving assistance in the near future.
Aged care providers seeking assistance should complete the ACFI Advisory Services application form available or phone the Hotline on 1800 633 719.
RCS Saved Rate Residents and Provision of Additional Care and Services
The Department of Health and Ageing advised ACS NSW&ACT that for residents who are on a low care RCS saved rate (RCS 5-8), but are high care under ACFI, approved providers are required to comply with Schedule 1 of the Quality of Care Principles, Part 3, provision of additional care and services for residents receiving high level residential care.
For example, an existing resident with an RCS classification of RCS 5 (Low Care) who is assessed under ACFI as NHN (High Care) must be provided with the high care prescribed services. For residents on an RCS saved rate it is the assessment not the subsidy received that determines this provision.
ACFI Q & A
A few months before she left, Natasha Searcy forwarded members’ questions regarding ACFI to the Department of Health & Ageing. We have just received a reply to these questions, which appear with their answers below.
Is claiming of fluids possible under question 1 – Nutrition?
The Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) is a resource allocation instrument which focuses on those care needs which best differentiate the relative costs of care between different residents. There is a very strong link between a resident's need for assistance with eating and assistance with drinking. As such, it is not necessary to distinguish between these care needs for the purposes of allocating funding.
Clearly, a resident's nutrition and hydration needs must be met. These remain part of the Accreditation Standards at 2.10.
Are other toileting materials such as blue sheets and pads claimable in Question 4 – Toileting? (e.g. in the case of a bedfast resident)
Yes – in some cases. The use of a blue sheet to toilet a resident who is bed/chair bound and is physically unable to sit on the toilet is claimable under ACFI 4 - Toileting.
With an assessed need, the use of a blue sheet could be considered a kind of toilet used for a planned episode of evacuation of the bowel or bladder. This must relate to usual day-to-day care needs.
Question 11. Medication – Is it necessary to physically time the taken to administer medication, or is estimating the total time sufficient?
The appraiser needs to calculate how many minutes are required for medication assistance over a 24 hour period.
If you do need to time medication administration, what do you do in the case of a resident that wanders off whilst you are administering? i.e. do you stop timing and then recommence once you have settled the resident back down again?
No. This question only includes the actual time taken to administer the medication. It also excludes the time taken to prepare the medication.
News for Community Providers
Department of Veterans' Affairs request for tender – Health care services
Description: The provision of timely, high quality independent Community Support advisory services consistent with community best practice that would assist DVA to deliver high quality programs for the benefit of entitled persons, that is, members of the veteran and Australian Defence Force communities. These services will focus on one or more of the following programs: Day Clubs; Carer & Volunteer Support; Health Promotion and Men’s Health Peer Education.
Closing date: 17 December 2008 at 4:00 pm (ACT Local time).
Please click here for further information.
Research to Practice briefings for community aged care
A new information resource, based on the latest research in community aged care, is now available to give service providers and care workers a user-friendly blueprint for providing better care for older people.
Valuing aged care workers, greater flexibility for staff and better practices to give workers more time to spend with older people are just some of the recommendations based on research evidence that are contained in the briefing.
The Research to Practice briefings are prepared by The Benevolent Society and the Social Policy Research Centre. Click here to access the first briefing in the series, Caring for Older Australians: Care workers and care practices that support and enable good care.
The second briefing in the series Promoting social networks for older people in community aged care will be released in early 2009. All briefings will be made freely available to the sector three times a year in hard copy format and on the internet.
News for the Retirement Sector
Housing Affordability Fund (HAF)
The Australian Government reported it has received 91 expressions of interest in the first round of applications for its Housing Affordability Fund. Interest was particularly high in South Australia with the most (23) applications. Northern Territory has one application.
The HAF will invest $512 million over five years to target the planning and infrastructure costs incurred when building new housing developments.
Applications from State, Territory, local governments and local government associations, in conjunction with the private sector closed on 15 October. The second round of applications for the HAF is expected to open in March.
Affordable Housing Forum - for members only
In response to members' feedback about training priorities, the ACS Retirement Committee has put together a superb program of speakers on affordable housing to bring you the very latest thinking and information.
Date: Friday 5 December
Time: 9 am-1 pm, followed by lunch
Venue: Morphettville Junction Centre
Please click here for the full program and registration form.
NT News
Indigenous Aged Care Services
Nursing homes with 24-hour service will be built in two remote Aboriginal communities under a revamp of indigenous aged care services by the Australian Government.
Under the scheme, the first overnight aged care service will be built at Mutitjulu near Uluru, and a general works and equipment program will be initiated to raise standards. The Government announced a $1 million grant to Frontier Services to build overnight staff accommodation at Mutitjulu, and an $800,000 grant to MacDonnell Shire Council to provide overnight staff accommodation at Tjilpi Pampaku Ngara (Docker River) Flexible Aged Care service. Both are to help retain staff.
Currently only 22 out of 29 nursing services in remote communities have overnight supervision. The Government will also announce in-principle approval to establish a 10-place flexible residential aged care service in East Arnhem Land, following calls by locals at a community cabinet on 23 July.
Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC)
The Australian Government has established the Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) to recruit and deploy doctors, nurses and allied health workers in remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities. The recruitment of health professionals for remote communities will now be much more sustainable. The RAHC began operations after a funding agreement was signed with Aspen Medical to run it. The first deployment of health professionals to the Territory is expected to occur by the end of 2008.
Funding of about $5 million a year, over two years, has been committed to establish and operate the new RAHC. Health professionals recruited through the RAHC will work in remote communities, targeting the health needs of Indigenous children, adolescents, adults and older people. They will deliver core primary health care and, where necessary, make referrals to secondary and tertiary care services.
The RAHC will draw on urban health professionals for short-term deployment, building on the positive response of health professionals to the Northern Territory Emergency Response. Northern Territory health service providers will first identify staffing requirements then contact the RAHC to outline their additional health service requirements. The RAHC will then draft implementation plans, and place the required health professional/s in the community in question. This new measure will boost recruitment efforts of the NT Department of Health and Families and the Territory’s Aboriginal Medical Services, and build the capacity of existing community-based health services in each region in the Territory.
Aspen Medical is a Canberra-based company that has offices and operations worldwide. It is experienced in mobilising health professionals in difficult and challenging environments. For example, it has been providing nurses for remote areas in Western Australia and medical services to Australian Defence Force members in East Timor. Aspen Medical was chosen to establish and operate the RAHC after an extensive selection process.
Continence education in the Northern Territory
The Continence Education in Remote Australia Project (CERAP) is an initiative of the Continence Foundation of Australia and is funded by the National Rural Primary Health Projects from the Department of Health and Ageing.
The project aims to up-skill workers on incontinence issues in remote areas of Australia and to provide Indigenous persons a more equitable level of access to available resources and treatment options.
CERAP will be managed by Ailsa Sutherland, a continence nurse with extensive experience in continence care in remote and Indigenous settings.
ACS SA & NT has been in contact with the Continence Foundation of Australia to discuss working with ACS NT members on this project to build networks and increase aged care information/communication to the remote areas. It is only in the early stages, but ACS will keep members informed of opportunities.
For more information on CERAP please click here or phone the CERAP Project Officer, Ailsa Sutherland on 03 9347 2522.
HESTA Super Fund (ACS Bronze Plus Sponsor) - Client Relationships Manager in the Northern Territory
Anthony Kotsonis is making himself available to ACS members to discuss potential access to HESTA members in the workplace and to assist with any pressing administration issues.
A
nthony would like to forge close relationships with HR Managers / CEOs / Site managers of organisations in the aged care sector. If you would like to make an appointment to discuss HESTA Superannuation as a viable fund for your organisation's employees, please contact Anthony by email or phone
0437 094 910.
HESTA Superannuation (ACS Bronze Plus Sponsor)
Measures to protect overseas workers
The Australian Government has introduced a range of measures to strengthen the integrity of the temporary skilled working visa program. Those measures include:
- Increased the minimum salary level for subclass 457 visa holders for the first time in two years (on 1 August 2008) and applied that increase to existing visa holders.
- Appointed an Industrial Relations Commissioner (Barbara Deegan), to review the integrity of the current subclass 457 visa program and recommend measures to better protect overseas workers. The report is currently being assessed by Government and will be referred to the Skilled Migration Consultative Panel, which comprises industry, union and state government representatives.
- Introduced the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Bill 2008 which has four main provisions:
- expanded powers to monitor and investigate possible non-compliance by sponsors;
- the introduction of penalties for employers found in breach of their obligations;
- improved information sharing to allow immigration officials to check the tax records of employers and employees to ensure they are paying the correct wages; and
- better-defined sponsorship obligations for employers and other sponsors.
On 14 October 2008, the Senate referred the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Bill 2008 to the Legislation and Constitutional Affairs Committee for inquiry and report, which has just been finalised. The Committee recommended that the Senate pass the Bill and that the operation of the legislation, as amended by this Bill, be reviewed within three years.
Click here for the full Senate Report.
Reports from EMA Consulting
From time to time EMA Consulting provides ACS with industrial updates and information for members. Please click on the links below to download reports.
EMA Note Issue 30 - Provisional Liability for Workcover Claims - South Australia
EMA Note Issue 28 - Changes to Unfair Dismissal Laws - Is Your Business Ready?
EMA Note Issue 27 - Safe Work Australia Bill 2008 - Creating a National OH&S Scheme
EMA Note Issue 25 - Not-for-Profit Service Provider not a Constitutional Corporation
Research, Publications and Grants
Patterns of tooth loss in the Australian population 2004-06
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released Patterns of tooth loss in the Australian population 2004-06. This publication reports on patterns of tooth loss in the Australian population in 2004–06. Differences by age, sex, eligibility for public dental care, residence, education, dental visiting pattern and dental insurance are presented. Variations by state and territory are also provided.
Click here for the full report.
Palliative care: caresearch nurses information newsletter
A newsletter specifically for nurses working in palliative care is now available. It includes ideas on how to use CareSearch to help with daily clinical and practice issues.
Dental benefits for chronic conditions—an update
The Federal Parliamentary Library has produced a Background Note on Dental Benefits for Chronic Conditions. It provides a brief update on the existing dental health program, its uptake, expenditure and prospects for the introduction of the new Commonwealth Dental Health Program.
Click here for the full report.
Projected demand and supply for dental visits in Australia
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released Projected demand and supply for dental visits in Australia: analysis of the impact of changes in key inputs.
A range of scenarios are presented as a means of understanding current and potential future developments, to inform policy makers and service provision planning. This policy analysis provides revised assessments of previously published supply and demand projections, giving a vital tool to underpin future decision making.
For a full report click here.
Palliative and End of Life Care Glossary of Terms
Palliative Care Australia has produced the Palliative Care and End of Life Care Glossary to begin an ongoing process to seek clarity and consistency in the way we describe end of life care.
The first edition of the Glossary sets out some of the intended and unintended meanings of common terminology and provides recommendations for the use of specific terms. Click here to access the document.
Use of disability services
The number of people using disability support services in Australia has increased by 24% over the past four years, according to a recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report, Disability Support Services 2006-07 showed that 232,000 people used disability support services in 2006-07, an increase from 188,000 in 2003-04.
The largest increases over the past four years were seen in respite care (46%), community support (25%) and employment services (25%). Community support services, such as therapy, early intervention and case management, were the most commonly used services over the last four years.
The report can be downloaded here.
Physical Activity and Health in Mid-Age and Older Women report
A new report released by the Office for Women highlights the health benefits of exercise for women over the age of 45. The Physical Activity and Health in Mid-Age and Older Women report found that exercise is physically and mentally beneficial for middle-aged and older women.
The report found that between 2001 and 2004, the percentage of mid-age women doing 30 minutes of physical activity on most days rose from 45 to 54 per cent. This was primarily attributed to walking.
The benefits of physical activity can include the prevention of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, diabetes, mental health and musculoskeletal problems.
Click here for the full 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 Training Program
The full 2008 ACS Training Program is available on the ACS Website. Registration forms for the events will be placed on the website as they are prepared, and also sent to members. Please mark this page as a bookmark and return to it regularly to view any changes and additions.
Computer training
Microsoft Excel 2003 Introduction
Only one place left, book now!
Date: Tuesday 9 December
Time: 9 am - 5 pm
Venue: ETSA Utilities, 1 Anzac Highway
New training courses
Aged Care Standards & Accreditation Agency
Still five places left - book now!
How to complete a self assessment and understanding ‘expected outcomes’.
Date: Friday 21 November
Time: 1-3.30 pm
Presenter: Virginia Matthews
Training for new kitchen staff: last chance before 2009!
Only five places left - book now!
Follow work procedures to maintain food safety. This is an accredited training unit which can be put towards the Certificate in Food Processing.
Date: Monday 24 November
Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms
Telecommunications: what is the future for TV in aged care facilities?
No-obligation information session - come and explore the possibilities
Date: Thursday 27 November
Time: 9.00-10.30 am
Venue: ACS Training Rooms
Budget preparation: are you even vaguely considering installing Foxtel on each TV in your facility? This information session will bring together associated businesses from the telecommunications industry to help you determine if this is viable and answer any other questions you have.
Visit the full ACS Training & Events Program
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
Celtic Training, an ACS Industry Supporter, runs regular courses in the following qualifications:
Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)
Certificate III and IV Frontline Management
Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety
Certificate II in Community Services Work and in Community Services Support Work
Certificate III in Aged Care Work
Certificate III in Home and Community Care
Certificate III in Disability Work
Certificate IV in Aged Care Work
Certificate IV in Service Co-ordination (Ageing and Disability)
Certificate IV in Mental Health Work (Non-clinical)
Certificate IV in Community Services (Lifestyle and Leisure)
Certificate II in Health Support Services (Client/Patient Support Services)
Certificate III in Health Service Assistance (Client/Patient Services)
Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing)
Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing)
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Certificate IV in Injury Rehabilitation Management
Certificate IV in Injury Claims Administration
For all training enquiries please contact David Leigh-Ewers on 8211 8272.
ACS Industry Silver and Bronze Plus Sponsors announced
ACS has recently signed exclusive agreements with three new industry supporters supplying quality products and services to the aged care sector.
CCI Purchasing Group – Silver Sponsor
CCI Group Purchasing is a mutual organisation dedicated to meeting the procurement needs if the not-for-profit sector by providing access to suppliers of goods and services at heavily discounted prices through members combined buying power.
McInerney Barratt Financial Solutions – Silver Sponsor
McInerney Barratt Financial Solutions (MBFS) have over ten years experience in the financial services industry specialising in aged care financial planning advice. They offer assistance to aged care providers on a range of issues such as understanding the financial aspects of resident admission.
Hesta Superannuation – Bronze Plus Sponsor
HESTA Super Fund is your health and community services industry fund. HESTA are not just about delivering strong returns; they are committed to supporting the health and community services industry. And with HESTA, you do not pay one cent in sales commissions to financial planners.
New website for members
Do you need a washing machine, vacuum cleaner or carpet cleaner? Have you any broken fridge shelves, lost remote controls, dirty air conditioning filters or broken microwave turntables or glass trays?
Go direct to Statewide Appliance's new website to solve any of your electrical appliance problems. Statewide Appliance Spares and Distributors have been a member of ACS for over six years. Visit the site now and follow the prompts.
New technology for medical specialists and day surgery
ACS Industry Sponsor and health industry software provider, Healthsolve/Clintel systems Pty Ltd has purchased “The Specialist” clinical management system for medical specialists and day surgery. "The specialist” adds to their existing range of software solutions for health including care systems for hospitals, and aged, and community care facilities.
For further information please contact:
Nick Cuthbertson, Managing Director, Healthsolve Pty Ltd
Direct: 61 08 8203 0515
Mobile: 0419824155
Email: nick@healthsolve.com.au
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 1 July 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