ACST News Briefs 19 Brisbane Street Hobart - 1 - 6231 3100 [email protected]www.agedcaretas.org.au 1 ACST News Briefs Friday 30 September 2011 No.185 Dear Members, We all know the Productivity Commission’s Report into Caring for Older Australians will mean big changes for the aged care industry in Tasmania, but change on the mainland may look very different to what needs to be done in Tasmania. We live in a fantastically unique state and as such our needs as a sector will differ from those of other states and territories. Some of the changes referred to in the Report by the Commission include to: • Higher cost of delivering services in rural and remote areas including significant workforce challenges around supply, training and expertise; • The need for support to rural and remote providers before these organisations begin to falter; • Assistance to small residential care providers to transition including provision of business planning; and • The relevance of operational and service delivery models such as multi-purpose services, integrated health and aged care services and community hub approaches as relevant and appropriate for rural and remote providers. We believe these are all relevant to the Tasmanian context and should form part of a strategic package of support that will facilitate an effective transition to a new system. The Commission also referred to the need for flexible and block funding for special needs groups and rural and remote services. Again we believe this has significant relevance for Tasmania considering such factors as our small and dispersed population, higher level of welfare dependency and smaller organisations. The question for the Tasmanian context is where would a more deregulated market driven approach apply or should our state be considered for flexible funding as distinctly regional, rural and remote. Under the ASGC Remoteness Structure (developed by the ABS) aged care organisations only fit into inner regional, outer regional, remote and very remote with no part of Tasmania qualifying as Major Cities. A key risk for aged care in Tasmania is that the slow progression of the various reform processes and the immediate state health budget cutbacks will leave smaller rural and remote facilities providing sub acute services potentially without adequate funding. Any reduction in support will subsequently affect the overall viability of these organisations and the security of these community services. There needs to be short term action by both levels of Government working together to stabilise these services while waiting for the appropriate flexible and block funding and funding of sub acute services to be applied in a reform context. In addition, these services need to be supported to establish strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders like LHNs and Medicare Locals and be provided with transition support including business and strategic planning.
Dear Members, We all know the Productivity Commission’s Report into Caring for Older Australians will mean big changes for the aged care industry in Tasmania, but change on the mainland may look very different to what needs to be done in Tasmania. We live in a fantastically unique state and as such our needs as a sector will differ from those of other states and territories. Some of the changes referred to in the Report by the Commission include to:
• Higher cost of delivering services in rural and remote areas including significant workforce challenges around supply, training and expertise;
• The need for support to rural and remote providers before these organisations begin to falter;
• Assistance to small residential care providers to transition including provision of business planning; and
• The relevance of operational and service delivery models such as multi-purpose services, integrated health and aged care services and community hub approaches as relevant and appropriate for rural and remote providers.
We believe these are all relevant to the Tasmanian context and should form part of a strategic package of support that will facilitate an effective transition to a new system. The Commission also referred to the need for flexible and block funding for special needs groups and rural and remote services. Again we believe this has significant relevance for Tasmania considering such factors as our small and dispersed population, higher level of welfare dependency and smaller organisations. The question for the Tasmanian context is where would a more deregulated market driven approach apply or should our state be considered for flexible funding as distinctly regional, rural and remote. Under the ASGC Remoteness Structure (developed by the ABS) aged care organisations only fit into inner regional, outer regional, remote and very remote with no part of Tasmania qualifying as Major Cities. A key risk for aged care in Tasmania is that the slow progression of the various reform processes and the immediate state health budget cutbacks will leave smaller rural and remote facilities providing sub acute services potentially without adequate funding. Any reduction in support will subsequently affect the overall viability of these organisations and the security of these community services. There needs to be short term action by both levels of Government working together to stabilise these services while waiting for the appropriate flexible and block funding and funding of sub acute services to be applied in a reform context. In addition, these services need to be supported to establish strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders like LHNs and Medicare Locals and be provided with transition support including business and strategic planning.
There also needs to be a specific focus on facilitating restructuring in the sector that will underpin the longer term sustainability of Tasmanian organisations and services. This may involve service diversification, integration with other health and aged care services, and building alliances/partnerships/consortiums with such processes based on an appropriate assessment of community needs, current community assets and maintenance of local identity within the relevant community. This latter is critical as the social and economic contribution of aged care services to their local communities should not be underestimated or undervalued. These services may well be the most significant employer and purchaser of goods and services in their local community. The key elements of a strategic package for Tasmania could be: 1. The establishment of “Demonstration Communities” in the three regional areas of Tasmania
(north, south, north west) focused on local input and engagement; implementation of a local model involving integration of services; positive ageing and wellbeing strategies and services; implementation of health reform; reduction of avoidable hospitalisations of older people; and commitment of whole sector to the pilots and implementation of outcomes. Recent discussions with the Southern Area Health Service (STAHS) have revealed an opportunity for a project to be commenced very quickly with some STAHS resources being available to assist.
2. Governance & Management Investment Program focused on supporting contemporary local
governance structures; establishing an appropriate professional and skills development process; commitment to networking and communicating with the broader sector; strategic process to position organisation/s to operate sustainably and plan and develop capital projects in an appropriate manner; preparedness to explore new business models including relationships with other organisations; and identification of ongoing engagement process with local community. Organisations prepared to take part in this would be provided with funding to participate and put the steps in place to engage in the required changes in the context of a full sustainability project plan.
3. Stabilisation of Rural and Remote Service and Service Mix
Specific transition and funding support to ensure these facilities and services can enter the new system in a viable manner with a sustainable operating model, appropriate governance arrangements and structures, strategic direction and a service mix that can respond to community needs.
4. Aged Care Reform Support Program to assist aged care organisations to engage, transition to and implement reform. This would take the form of project officer/s and/or consultants to work within the sector to enable organisations to prepare their organisations for the new environment. This would particularly assist and focus on smaller residential care providers and HACC organisations.
5. Flexible and Block Funding of services across Tasmania in recognition of our regional, rural and remote profile and the specific challenges that arise from this including the lack of a pure market to drive competition.
I would welcome any comments on a Tasmanian package and look forward to hearing what comes out of the consumer consultation process set to be undertaken by Council on the Ageing Tasmania over the next few months. Regards, Darren Mathewson CEO Aged and Community Services Tasmania
The 2010 Tasmanian Aged Care Award winners at the presentation function
Not long left to enter the 2011 Tasmanian Aged Care Awards
ACST is encouraging all members to support the Tasmanian Aged Care Awards program and either nominate their organisation, an outstanding staff member, an employee undertaking study, a volunteer, a local community organisation, or an auxiliary group that goes the extra mile in supporting your organisation. There are six Award categories in 2011, including the Aged Care Organisation Award, Media Award, Aged Care Professional Award, Volunteer Contribution Award, Education and Training Award and the Can Do Community Award. Time is quickly running out to get your entries in. For a copy of the Awards entry form contact [email protected].
Co-existing mental health and alcohol issues among older adults
A presentation on the mental health and alcohol issues faced by older adults will be held on Friday, 14 October at 9.30am at the Clinical School Lecture Theatre, Royal Hobart Hospital, for all personnel in the health and community sector. The presentation will be facilitated by Dr Martin Morrissey, a Geriatric Psychiatrist for older persons’ mental health. The presentation is free and interested parties can RSVP by email to [email protected].
Centre for Industry
The Centre for Tasmanian Industry is a ‘one stop shop’ for business offering specialist services in managing personnel and business risks. Our wide range of support services includes: HR/IR, Recruitment, Training, Workers Compensation, Legal, Mediation, Performance Management, Negotiations, Enterprise Bargaining, Restructure and OHS. Call (03) 6231 3100 for more information.
Alzheimer’s Australia is hosting a public consultation forum in Hobart to gather information from families and supporters of people who are living with dementia for the Productivity Commission. The consultation will take place on Friday 28 October 2011 at the Bahai Centre of Learning from 10am-12pm. RSVP by 21 October to Suellen (03) 6224 3077 or email [email protected].
Call for abstracts Aged & Community Services SA and NT are inviting people to Adelaide, South Australia for the Aged and Community Services (ACSA) fourth national Community Care Conference and Trade Exhibition. It will take place on 21-22 May 2012 at the world class Adelaide Convention Centre. The theme for the conference is Firm Foundations: Flexible Futures, which will give both service provider and consumer perspectives in sessions addressing:
� choice � autonomy � control � connectedness � building community capacity � culture of the sector � partnerships needed to make the system work.
Throughout these topics they will be seeking abstracts relating to the delivery of Indigenous, culturally appropriate, rural and remote, dementia or palliative care services and related research. The Call for Abstracts is now open. For more information visit the Conference website including the Guidelines for Abstract Submission. The closing date is Friday, 21 October 2011.
Tasmanian Aged Care Awards Sponsor TCCI supports Aged Care Awards
TASMANIA’S peak employer body, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) is pleased to sponsor the Aged Care Professional Award. TCCI believes recognition be given to those who are working in a professional capacity delivering care to older people and people with disabilities. While this is a rewarding role, it takes a particular skill and knowledge to undertake the tasks well and with due care. With any job in today’s workplace, TCCI encourages and supports dedication and commitment by all involved, both employers and employees. It is therefore fitting that we as an employer group, sponsor a category that recognises a strong dedication to delivering services to this sector. The work ethic that this category covers, ie excellence, commitment and dedication to the task, is what we as business leaders should be motivating all staff to aspire to no matter what the sector. We congratulate Aged and Community Services Tasmania for continuing to recognise these achievements.
Conversations on ageing with Minister Mark Butler 3, 4 and 5 October 2011, Hobart, Devonport and Launceston Email: [email protected] Phone: 1800 182 324
Tasmanian Seniors Week 1 – 7 October 2011 Website: www.cotatas.org.au 9th Annual Dorothy Pearce Address 18 October 2011, Hobart Town Hall Phone: 0362 310 755 Email: [email protected]
Alzheimer’s Australia (Tas) Complementary Therapies in Quality Dementia Care Conference 25 – 26 October 2011, Rokeby Police Academy, Rokeby. To register: (03) 6224 3077 or [email protected] 2011 Tasmanian Aged Care Awards presentation 1 December 2011, Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart RSVP: [email protected] Phone: (03) 6223 3333
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