LATEST NEWS
Permanent Closure of the AN-ACC Funding Helpdesk
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Funding Helpdesk will be permanently closed on Friday 9 December 2022 due to a decrease in enquiries relating to AN-ACC funding. Providers are encouraged to contact the Helpdesk well before this date, and the Department of Health and Aged Care will respond to all outstanding enquiries, or will notify providers if It will take longer to respond. Providers can call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm).
Registered Nurse Supplement and AN-ACC Subsidy Increase
A few changes to support were announced in the 2022-23 October Budget. From 1 July 2023, eligible residential aged care services with 60 residents or less will be getting a supplement to deliver 24/7 registered nurse care. This is to ensure that the risk of harm to residents is reduced through the availability of a qualified care staff at all hours. Eligible services will also be able to receive an increase in the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Daily Basic Subsidy in 2024-25. This increase aims to help meet the average care time requirement of 215 minutes per resident per day (including 44 minutes with a registered nurse).
Aged Care Council of Elders
The Aged Care Council of Elders was established in order to provide advice and input to the Government and ensure that the needs, rights and dignity of older Australians are central in the aged care system and aged care reforms.
OPAN Position Statement: Embedding Supported Decision-Making Across Aged Care
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has developed a position statement on supported decision-making and is calling for this to be embedded across aged care. OPAN is asking to bring people from a range of different ages, disabilities and cultural backgrounds together to co-design a policy and legislative framework.
Monthly Care Statements Pilot Program Update
The Australian Government is introducing Monthly Care Statements for residential aged care homes. Monthly Care Statements allow more information to pass between providers and their residents; they are designed to provide a summary of the care received, and any changes that occurred over the previous month. These statements aim to enhance existing communication practices. A pilot program will be facilitated by the Nous Group in partnership with the Aged and Community Care Providers Association to trial the Monthly Care Statements content and process, with external support. Feedback received through this pilot will also help to inform policy.
