October’s Federal Budget announcement is expected to be heavily focused on policy and reform. With increasing pressure from an aging population, the aged care sector is feeling the impacts of system reforms, relentless cost pressures, the pandemic and other changes. Consumers have higher expectations and a greater choice of providers, services and pricing models, forcing organisations to compete in new ways. The operators that thrive will be those who are able to create new business models, realise operational efficiencies and stay one step ahead of their competitors. Change also brings great opportunity and an exciting future to look forward to.
Aged care providers are tasked with delivering services to care recipients that exhibit quality and safety attributes. This means that services must have a degree of excellence attached to them and be physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically safe. In order to achieve this level of quality and safety, the human interactions between carers and care recipients must be kind and attentive, and carers must enjoy the same sense of being safe in all of these dimensions.
As we commence 2022, the outlook for the aged care sector remains as clouded as it was at the beginning of 2021.
Many commentators described the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety as a once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape the industry to meet the needs of older Australians now and into the future.
The 2021-2022 Federal Budget provided additional funding for the Health & Aged sector, however there are longer term issues that are yet to be fully resolved. So what’s on offer, and what do we need going forward to ensure quality and safe care for all Australians.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (RCACQS) hands down its report on Friday (26 February 2021).
The healthcare system in Australia is not without its challenges.
The Health & Aged care sector is one of the largest employers in Australia and is dominated by small and mid-sized enterprises.
Last week’s hearings for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, introduced the leaders of some of Australia’s peak bodies, unions, consumer organisations and the Secretary to the Department, Glenys Beauchamp. In all 26 witnesses were called.
Today represents the practical start to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (RCACQS) where the Commissioners, the Honourable Richard Tracey AM RFD QC and Ms Lynelle Briggs AO, reiterated the terms of reference and outlined the key areas.
The Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Congress in Adelaide last week could not have better timed following the announcement in October of the Royal Commission into aged care quality and safety.
So, you’ve got a strategy…with clear objectives…and a plan on how to achieve them…with measures so you will know that you have…but have you considered the consequences if you’re wrong?