In correspondence seen by The Weekly SOURCE, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson has written to aged care homes that have not achieved their mandated care minute targets, asking them to explain the non-compliance and the steps they are taking to remedy the situation.
"Earlier this month, I wrote to a number of providers with services that were not meeting care minute targets in the Quarterly Financial Report data for October-December 2023," the Commissioner confirmed to The SOURCE.
"The purpose of my letter was to clearly signal to these providers that the Commission is monitoring their performance with care minute responsibilities.
"Where underperformance persists, we will require the provider to explain the cause of the non-compliance and the actions they are taking to comply. We will also require them to demonstrate how they are identifying and managing any risks to residents that may result from shortfalls against the targets.
"We continue to take a fair and sensible approach to regulating aged care providers’ compliance with their workforce responsibilities," the Commissioner confirmed, reiterating assurances she has provided in the past.
According to data for October - December 2023, released 10 April 2024, only 32.37% of providers, or 805 providers, met both RN and total care minute targets.
A provider we have spoken to, who did not receive the letter but has spoken to colleagues who did, said the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is now getting "a lot information every quarter, so they know exactly what the care minutes are" for each provider.
"They are certainly nudging people," he said.
The letter, sent by email, states, "You are receiving this letter because your Quarterly Financial Report data for October-December 2023 shows that you have delivered below your care minutes targets in respect of the service/s listed at the end of this letter. (Commission's own emphasis.)
"Providers are required to remedy in a timely manner any non-compliance with these responsibilities and to remain compliant with them.
"Where underperformance persists, we will require you to explain the cause of the non-compliance and the actions you are taking to comply."
