New resources for 1 November transition
As the aged care sector readies itself for the new Aged Care Act, OPAN has released a new online module on supported decision-making and the commission has published a bulletin on obligations related to associated providers.
In less than three weeks, the new Aged Care Act will come into effect, and with it comes new regulations on “associated providers.”
To support aged care providers in the transition to the new Act, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has published a regulatory bulletin explaining the concept of associated providers, who is classified as an associated provider and the relevant regulations registered providers have to adhere to in reference to associated providers.
The bulletin classifies an associated provider as an organisation or person delivering aged care services on behalf of a registered provider.
Registered providers must notify the commission of who their associated providers are at registration and registration renewal, and providers registered in categories 4, 5 or 6 must notify the commission if arrangements with associated providers in those categories change.
Category 4 includes providers of personal care and support in the home or community, Category 5 includes providers of nursing and transition care, and Category 6 is for residential care providers.
Providers will also need to identify which services are delivered by associated providers in service agreements and monthly statements, and will need to ensure all aged care workers, including those delivering a service via an associated provider, meet new worker screening requirements.
Organisations and people providing the following are not considered associated providers:
- corporate services such as training, accounting or labour hire
- organisations providing services to older people that are not funded aged care services
- aged care workers.
Individual health practitioners employed or engaged by registered providers are considered aged care workers rather than associated providers, including if they have been hired on a contract basis.
Registered providers will also still be responsible for ensuring services delivered by an associated provider adhere to the new obligations, even if specifically chosen by an older person. But registered providers can refuse the older person’s choice if they feel the associated provider is unable to comply with regulations.
The complete regulatory bulletin can be read here.
Supported decision-making obligations
Meanwhile the Older Persons Advocacy Network has published new resources to support the sector as it transitions to the new Act and the associated changes to supported decision-making.
The supported decision-making eLearning module offers practical guidance for aged care providers on how they can embed supported decision-making into practice, which OPAN chief executive officer Craig Gear said is a cornerstone of a rights-based aged care system.
Providers can sign up for the module here.
OPAN has also created a supported decision-making toolkit for older people, their families and carers to understand what supported decision-making is, why it matters and how to use it.
The toolkit also includes information on the role of aged care providers in supported decision-making, how to choose a supporter and information on what an older person can do if they feel their rights are not being respected.
The toolkit can be accessed here.
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