New Aged Care Quality Standards – 1 July 2019
Note: image reproduced, with permission, from Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website www.agedcarequality.gov.au. Use does not constitute their endorsement of this information.
* 25 March 2019 *
On 1 July 2019, the new Aged Care Quality Standards (‘the new Standards’) will come into force. This will affect all organisations that provide Commonwealth-subsidised aged care services, including Vasey RSL Care.
The new Standards, Quality of Care Amendment (Single Quality Framework) Principles 2018, will replace the current aged care standards both for residential aged care and for home care.
The new Standards comprise eight standards which provide a framework of 42 core requirements for quality and safety in the provision of care and services to aged care residents and home care consumers:
1 Consumer dignity and choice
2 Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
3 Personal care and clinical care
4 Services and supports for daily living
5 Organisation’s service environment (residential aged care only)
6 Feedback and complaints
7 Human resources
8 Organisational governance
One major difference is the increasing role that residents and home care consumers will play in directing their own care and supports.
“This is an important step forward,” says CEO, Janna Voloshin. “This is about making sure that the person is always at the centre of their own care – they know what they want and their opinion is the most important one.”
Often referred to as person-centred care, this concept is not new to Vasey RSL Care.
“We strongly believe that the best quality of life for all those in our care is achieved when they are involved and engaged, making their own choices about their life and their care,” says Janna.
In order to achieve person-centred care, the new Standards are flexible in how the outcomes are delivered. There can be no prescriptive requirements when the person receiving the care is making the decisions.
The new Standards require transparency and open communications and reporting.
“We are fully supportive of the new Standards and their goal of improving the lives of those in our care,” says Janna. “We see the new Standards as being in-line with our organisation’s philosophy.”
Vasey RSL Care is working to ensure readiness for 1 July with an action plan in progress for each standard.
“Our priorities are to communicate with our community members and ensure our staff are ready for 1 July,” says Janna.
More information:
Vasey RSL Care – New Standards Overview
Federal Department of Health – Aged Care Quality Standards