Don MacAskill

On July 19, 2024, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission published Regulatory Bulletin (RB2024-25) to update the aged care industry on its compliance program with the Aged Care Act and its Standards. According to the Commission’s Compliance and Enforcement policy, it can take several actions to achieve the following outcomes: - Prompt providers to comply with their responsibilities - Improve compliance with the law - Deter misconduct - Ensure grave misconduct meets proportionate consequences A notable mechanism is the Infringement Notice scheme. There are 7 criminal offences and 11 civil penalty provisions. The Commission can issue an infringement notice to a person or provider under the Act and the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014. These notices carry penalty points, which equate to monetary fines and allow the government to adjust fines without updating legislation. It's important to note that an infringement notice can apply to both individuals and providers. Individuals found to have breached, or believed on reasonable grounds to have breached, legislation or the Code of Conduct may be issued an infringement notice on a strict liability basis. This means the intent of the person or provider is not considered when deciding to issue the notice. Risk-e Business Consultants engage with aged care providers of all sizes to help them address challenges around the safety of residential aged care facilities and their residents, home care provision, and community facilities. Our suite of emergency and disaster planning and response services will assist providers and staff in meeting the requirements of the Act, Standards, and related Code of Conduct. Contact us for assistance and advice on these issues. Rob Critchlow Dave Owens APM David Donohue Patrick Paroz Vanesa N.

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The strengthened Quality Standards will come into effect with the start of the new Aged Care Act. We've put together this guide to assist residential aged care providers in understanding and implementing the strengthened Quality Standards, outlining the key outcome requirements to be achieved and how Acredia's software can support your compliance journey. Download your copy here >>https://cstu.io/a57ad1 #AgedCare #AgedCareAustralia #QualityStandards #Compliance

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Join over 200+ aged care professionals already registered for our August webinar to learn how data and technology can drive productivity and value in your organisation. Hear from industry expert Luke Benson from Blue Bike, who is collaborating with several large aged care providers on the latest tech strategies. Gain insights into the most common mistakes providers make and the key areas to focus on for achieving success. Register now: https://hubs.la/Q02K8J_j0 #MakingAgedCareBetter #AgedCareAustralia #DigitalTransformation

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As we head towards the end of the 5-year reform plan for aged care, the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations have contributed to one of the final aspects – financial reform and sustainability of aged care in Australia. Join us in this free webinar to hear: ‣ What aged care announcements were included in this year’s Budget ‣ Implications from the Taskforce ‣ What else is happening in aged care ‣ Impacts on financial planning strategies ‣ How to help clients make aged care affordable ‣ Building aged care advice into your business. Register today: https://ow.ly/nSQS50RmNUv #agedcare #agedcareadvice #financialadvice #budget #2024budget #financialplanning

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The Primary Care Collaborative hosted a webinar exploring whether primary care can meet patients’ increasingly complex needs under fee for service — and what steps policymakers must take to ensure access to high-quality primary care. Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/gagaPreE #highqualityprimarycare #feeforservice

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📢 Aged Care Reform: Comprehensive Overview of the Aged Care Bill 2024 Today, the Aged Care Bill 2024 passed Parliament, bringing transformative changes to Australia's aged care sector. These reforms aim to enhance service quality, provider accountability, and affordability, with most changes effective from July 1, 2025. 🏠 Residential Aged Care Reforms 1. Accommodation Changes: • Retention of RAD Payments: Providers will retain 2% per year of a resident’s Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or RAC for up to 5 years. • Indexed Daily Accommodation Payments (DAPs): DAPs will be adjusted twice annually to reflect cost changes. • Increased Accommodation Pricing: The maximum price that providers can charge without government approval increases from $550,000 to $750,000 (effective January 2025). 2. Fee Updates: • Hotelling Contribution: A new means-tested fee of up to $12.55 per day will apply. • Non-Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC): Replaces the current means-tested care fee. NCCC can be up to $101.16 per day, with a lifetime cap of $130,000 or a maximum of 4 years. 🏡 Home Care Reforms 1. New Classification System: • 8 Care Levels: Replaces the current 4-tier system with 8 classifications, providing more personalized and specific care options. • Short-Term Options: Two new classifications for restorative and end-of-life care will also be introduced. 2. Fee Structure Changes: • Means-Tested Contributions: Clients will contribute a set percentage of service costs, determined by the service type (clinical, independence support, or everyday living) and the client’s financial status (pension eligibility). Broader Impacts: • Consumer Rights: The new legislation enshrines the rights of older Australians, improving care standards, transparency, and access. • Provider Accountability: Stricter financial and service accountability ensures public funds directly support care quality, not administrative overhead. For full details, visit: My Aged Care.

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From defining clear responsibilities to ensuring compliance, discover how a formal delegation policy can empower aged care leaders to meet regulatory expectations and support high-quality care. https://wix.to/KiGrm7L #AgedCare #Governance #Delegation #Compliance #QualityCare

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🌟 Delivering Value in Residential Aged Care: Ensuring Quality Services and Value for Money 🌟 In the realm of Residential Aged Care, delivering value isn't just a buzzword; it's a commitment to providing exceptional services that genuinely enrich the lives of our elderly population. As professionals in this field, it's imperative that we not only offer top-tier care but also ensure that every dollar spent translates into meaningful outcomes for our residents and their families. Monitoring and delivering value for money in aged care services requires a multifaceted approach: 1️⃣ Quality Care Delivery: At the core of value in aged care lies the quality of services rendered. From personalized care plans to compassionate staff interactions, every aspect contributes to the overall well-being of our residents. 2️⃣ Efficient Resource Management: Maximizing resources while minimizing waste is crucial in maintaining affordability without compromising quality. This includes optimizing staffing levels, streamlining administrative processes, and leveraging technology for enhanced efficiency. 3️⃣ Transparent Communication: Open and transparent communication with residents, families, and stakeholders is essential in building trust and ensuring that everyone understands the value proposition of the services provided. 4️⃣ Continuous Improvement: The pursuit of value is an ongoing journey. Regular assessments, feedback mechanisms, and a commitment to continuous improvement empower us to adapt and evolve in response to changing needs and expectations. In the Australian health market, the importance of value in aged care cannot be overstated. Consider these facts: 📈 According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), expenditure on aged care services has been steadily increasing over the years, highlighting the growing demand for quality care. 📊 A report by Deloitte Access Economics emphasizes the economic significance of aged care, estimating that by 2050, the total economic contribution of the aged care sector to Australia's GDP will reach $130 billion annually. 💡 The Productivity Commission's inquiry into aged care revealed that while expenditure on aged care services has risen, there's a pressing need for greater efficiency and accountability to ensure that funds are allocated effectively to meet the needs of an aging population. As professionals in residential aged care, it's incumbent upon us to prioritize value at every turn. By upholding the highest standards of care delivery, fostering efficiency, and embracing innovation, we can truly make a difference in the lives of our residents while ensuring that every dollar spent delivers maximum value. Let's continue to strive for excellence in aged care and empower our elderly population to live with dignity and purpose. At QI we have developed service offering that compliment monitoring best practise in consumer experience. #AgedCare #Value #QualityServices #HealthcareAustralia 🌟

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Is your Home Care organisation struggling to keep up with compliance in the digital age? Don't worry, our FREE on-demand webinar is here to help 🏠💻 In this 30 minute session, you'll learn: ✅ Key challenges in Home Care and compliance with the Aged Care Quality Standards ✅ The regulatory landscape and areas for improvement ✅ Digitised compliance – what does this mean? ✅ Five ways to improve compliance management in your organisation If you want to enhance your Home Care service delivery with expert insights and practical solutions, watch the webinar today. Watch it here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gQsuUetc #Ideagen #IdeagenCompliSpace #HomeCare #AgedCare #Compliance

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Calling all Aged Care Providers! Live webinar 🎟️ 📅 5th December 2024 ⏰11:30am AEST Learn how to budget better as an Aged Care Provider. Join our digital workshop with industry expert Joseph Demarco from Care CFO. Whether you're a government-funded or self-funded aged care provider, effective budget management is more critical than ever. We’ll tackle how technology can be leveraged to help you budget better and achieve your core mission: providing better care to residents. Save your spot 👉 https://shorturl.at/7jmUJ #webinar #accountspayable #agedcare #budgetingtips #budgetbetter

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Wondering where to get help to make decisions about aged care? We pride ourselves on being experts in aged care. Our advisers are accredited aged care professionals, so you know you're in good hands. The reason we've committed to provide advice on aged care is because we understand what a fraught time it can be – emotionally and financially – and we believe people deserve to enter this chapter of their lives with dignity, peace of mind, and security. Let us help you make the transition to aged care with confidence💪🏼 #PFGFinancialServices #FinancialAdvice #WealthManagement #Superannuation #RetirementPlanning #EstatePlanning #LendingSolutions #PersonalInsurance #InvestmentAdvice #MelbourneFinance #BrisbaneFinance #FinancialFreedom #WealthCreation #PropertyInvestment #SecureYourFuture #FinancialPlanning #TrustworthyAdvice #FinancialGoals

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Changes to the aged care funding system means that self-funded retirees will pay more for residential and in-home care. These changes will apply from July next year. Futureproof's soon-to-be-release Equity Preservation Mortgage® will provide an additional funding mechanism for retirees who own their own home. It will provide an income stream that could be used for residential and in-home care. It's an innovative equity release product that pays all the interest for the borrower eliminating the inherent defects of other equity release products such as reverse mortgages where compounding interest over the life of the mortgage can result in negative equity for the retiree.

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