The Aged Care Amendment (Movement of Provisionally Allocated Places) Bill 2019 (Bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives on 24 July 2019. The Bill proposes to amend the Aged Care Act 1997 (Act) to enable the Secretary of the Department of Health (or...
aged care legislation
So you’re a home care provider who enters into brokerage arrangements … or are you?
‘Brokerage’ is a term frequently used by home care providers. In our experience it has become a term used to describe a number of situations in which providers use a third party to deliver services to a care recipient (ie client). In truth, an approved provider who...
Home Care Pricing Transparency and Comparability – 30 November 2018 and beyond
In March 2018, the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, convened a policy roundtable, to discuss a proposed approach to transparency and comparability of home care pricing. This came in response to increasing concerns raised by...
Recommendation for mandatory RN care in residential aged care facilities
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport released the final report on Quality of Care in Residential Aged Care Facilities on 22 October 2018 (the Report). The Report comes after a series of government inquiries into aged care and...
Royal Commission Terms of Reference released
As expected, the Terms of Reference are broad and they can be reviewed here. Of note, the Terms outline the scope of the quality and safety matters that the Commission will look at which include, but are not limited to: dignity choice and control nutrition medication...
Another inquiry into aged care? What is the Aged Care Royal Commission, and how will it be different?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the Government's decision to ask the Governor General to establish a Royal Commission into the aged care sector. This is not the first government investigation into aged care in recent history. What is a Royal Commission? A...
Federal Court dismisses bid to charge Asset Replacement Fee
Regis had commenced the proceedings seeking a declaration from the Court that the Asset Replacement Charge (ARC) may be lawfully imposed without contravening the Aged Care Act or its associated regulatory instruments. All individuals entering Regis’ facilities from 1...
Notifiable Data Breach scheme commences
From 22 February 2018, the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme will apply to all agencies and organisations with existing personal information security obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act). All private sector health and aged care organisations are...
Coroner refers Nursing Home to OACQC
In August 2012 Mr R was admitted to a high care nursing home facility, where he required assistance with all daily living tasks and was unable to mobilise independently. 31 days after his admission he was noted to have pressure sores on his heels. In November 2012,...
Move to mandate staffing ratios
The Aged Care Amendment (Ratio of Skilled Staff to Care Recipients) Bill 2017 is seeking “to enhance the level of care provided by aged care facilities nation-wide” according to Senator Derryn Hinch’s Second Reading Speech. The Bill proposes that a minimum adequate...