Jonathan Storer
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The aged care industry in Australia is changing, with the Royal Commission releasing their interim report and The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission also issuing an update of its Quality Standards. All organisations providing aged care services in Australia were required to comply with these new standards from July 1, 2019.
1. Consumer dignity and choice
Consumers are treated with dignity and respect and can maintain their identity. They can make informed choices about their care and services and live the life they choose.
The provider has a culture of inclusion and respect for consumers; and supports consumers to exercise choice and independence; and respects consumers’ privacy.
2. Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
The consumer is a partner in ongoing assessment and planning that helps them get the care and services they need for their health and well-being.
The provider undertakes initial and ongoing assessment and planning for care and services in partnership with the consumer. Assessment and planning have a focus on optimising health and wellbeing in accordance with the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences.
3. Personal care and clinical care
The consumer gets personal care, clinical care, or both personal care and clinical care, that is safe and right for them.
The provider delivers safe and effective personal care, clinical care, or both personal care and clinical care, in accordance with the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences to optimise health and well-being.
4. Services and supports for daily living
The consumer gets the services and supports for daily living that are important for their health and wellbeing and that enables them to do the things they want to do.
The provider offers safe and effective services and supports for daily living that optimise the consumer’s independence, health, wellbeing and quality of life.
5. Organisation’s service environment
The consumer feels they belong, and they are safe and comfortable in the provider’s service environment.
The provider gives consumers a safe and comfortable service environment that promotes the consumer’s independence, function and enjoyment.
6. Feedback and complaints
The consumer feels safe and is encouraged and supported to give feedback and make complaints. They are engaged in the processes to address their feedback and complaints and appropriate action is taken.
The provider regularly seeks input and feedback from consumers, carers, the workforce and others and uses the input and feedback to inform continuous improvements for individual consumers and the whole organisation.
7. Human resources
The consumer gets quality care and services when they need them from people who are knowledgeable, capable and caring.
The provider has a workforce that is sufficient, and is skilled and qualified to provide safe, respectful and quality care and services.
8. Organisational governance
The consumer is confident the provider’s organisation is well run. The consumer can partner in improving the delivery of care and services.
The provider’s governing body is accountable for the delivery of safe and quality care and services.
As of January 2020, The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission began conducting review audits of approved aged care providers. The audits measure providers’ performance against all of the new Aged Care Quality Standards listed above. Assessment teams of two or more people may attend a provider for assessment with or without giving prior notice.
As an audit can occur at any time, aged care providers should be making every effort to meet these new standards each and every day. Now, more than ever before, it’s vital for providers to look at all aspects of the delivery of care to find ways to improve the health and wellbeing of consumers. The imperative is to put systems, staff and tools in place that will support consumers’ holistic needs. One way to achieve this is to implement internal monitoring and reporting systems so you can feel confident your facility is always meeting and exceeding external expectations.
If you would like to discuss what the new Aged Care Quality Standards mean for your facility’s food delivery service, get in contact with our local expert, Jonathan Storer.
