Government Policy

Govt’s rules timeline provides some certainty but little comfort for aged care providers

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released a timeline for the release of rules supporting the new aged care legislation, and the periods that the rules will be open for consultation.

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Caroline Egan

7 hours ago

Sector Moves & People

KPMG the latest business recruited to help Govt improve its Star Ratings

Dr Rodney Jilek, co-founder of innovative dementia care specialists Community Home Australia, identified problems with the Star Rating system at the beginning of the year. In August, he appeared on the ABC’s 7.30 program saying homes failing to meet...

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Caroline Egan

7 hours ago

Technology

EY awarded $620K contract to assess “digital maturity” of aged care sector

The Department of Health and Aged Care has contracted consultants EY to assess the “digital maturity” of the aged care sector with a view to developing benchmarks and informing future aged care reforms. “The Department of Health and Aged Care is...

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Caroline Egan

7 hours ago

Government Policy

Government scraps its controversial cleaning and gardening caps for Support at Home

The Albanese Government has announced a backflip on plans to impose a 52-hour per year cap on cleaning and 18-hour per year cap on gardening for recipients of Support at Home services. The plan, contained in the Aged Care Bill 2024 released for...

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Caroline Egan

19 Nov 2024

Aged Care

Regional NSW Council losing $7,700 a week keeping a 16-bed aged care facility open

The Mayor of the Upper Hunter Shire, Maurice Collison, has written to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, asking for “immediate and ongoing” assistance to keep 16-bed Gumman Place Hostel, in Merriwa, 273km north west of Sydney...

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Caroline Egan

8 hours ago

Government Policy

Aged Care Minister announces financial support for providers to help with reforms

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has announced Government support for aged care providers to help them implement the once-in-a-generation reforms that are due to take effect in less than eight months’ time. In Senate Inquiry hearings and submissions...

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Caroline Egan

17 Nov 2024

Government Policy

The 10 amendments the Opposition wants to make to the Aged Care Bill 2024

Today, Shadow Minister for Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston on behalf of the Opposition has tabled 10 amendments to the Aged Care Bill 2024 in the Senate.

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Caroline Egan

20 Nov 2024

Government Policy

Aged Care Minister open to increased reporting on home care waiting lists

Aged Care Minister has indicated to ABC radio Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has indicated she supports regularly publishing data on how long older Australians are stuck waiting for Commonwealth-funded aged care supports. The latest data – made...

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Caroline Egan

7 hours ago

Opinion

Five big unanswered questions from the new Aged Care Bill

The aged care sector is (again) on the brink of historic change with the Aged Care Bill 2024 looking set to pass Parliament within the next few days – but question marks remain over several of the reforms contained within the new Act. The Bill is...

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Lauren Broomham

7 hours ago

Aged Care

Complaints about resident falls rise: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Falls in residential aged care have not declined in the two years that Quality Indicator data has been collected, according to the most recent figures, while the Sector Performance Report Q4 2023-24 showed complaints about falls increased...

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Caroline Egan

8 hours ago

Government Policy

“Outrageous” Govt knew home care wait times would blow out to six months: Anne Ruston

With ACAT approvals for Home Care Packages (HCPs) surging 21% in nine months and the HCP waiting list already at seven months, the Department of Health and Aged Care chose to release only 24,100 in the 2024-25 Federal Budget, expecting wait times to...

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Caroline Egan

8 hours ago

Government Policy

Funding boosted for manufactured home development: NSW LLLIA

NSW Land Lease Living Association (LLLIA), which is part of the Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW, said the announcement of the National Productivity Fund by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will boost the burgeoning sector. States and...

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Ian Horswill

18 Nov 2024

Government Policy

The reality of the home care waiting list: Cyril Tooze dies after sharing his horrific experience

Cyril Tooze, who spoke out in October about his 12-month wait to receive home care despite being assessed as needing the highest level care, has died. Tooze, from the Adelaide Hills, was terminally ill with heart and lung conditions and chose to die...

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Caroline Egan

14 Nov 2024