The News in NSW/ACT Updated NSW Health screening advice, including influenza vaccination requirements in residential aged care - ACSA
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The News in NSW/ACT
Updated NSW Health screening advice, including influenza vaccination
requirements in residential aged care
NSW Health has released updated screening advice on 29 June 2021.
The key messages from this update are:
1. Until further notice all staff working in Greater Sydney (including Nepean Blue Mountains,
Wollongong and Shellharbour but excluding Central Coast) must wear a surgical mask. For reasons
when masks can be removed please see Mandatory Mask Wearing.
2. Under the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order (No 2) Amendment (No3)
Order 2021 masks are mandatory for everyone in the Greater Sydney area (including Nepean Blue
Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour) while in an indoor location (other than a
person's home). This includes waiting for or using public transport.
3. A staff member or visitor may remove their mask:
a. while communicating with another person who is deaf or hard of hearing
b. if wearing a mask creates a risk to health and safety
c. where clear enunciation or visibility of your mouth is essential
4. There are new close and casual contact locations in Greater Sydney.
5. There are COVID-19 exposure locations in ACT.
6. There are new close or casual contact locations in Queensland
7. The state of Victoria is currently considered an affected area and there are new places of high
concern
8. Influenza vaccination is recommended for all staff however COVID-19 vaccinations should be
prioritised.
9. In line with the National COVID-19 Aged Care Plan, residential aged care providers should also
maintain a worker register that records which of their employees work across multiple settings or
lives with someone who does. Understanding this information is critical for contact tracing
purposes.
10. Further support for workers and employers is available through the Guiding Principles Support Hub
website or hotline on 1800 491 793.
11. From 1 June to 30 September 2021, all visitors and staff entering a residential aged care facility
should be required to provide evidence that they have received a dose of the 2021 influenza
vaccination. For further information please see exceptional and special circumstances for visiting
an residential aged care facility.
12. For home care:
a. Influenza vaccination is recommended for all staff.
b. Staff conducting home visits in the Greater Sydney area, including metropolitan Sydney,
Nepean Blue Mountains and Central Coast must wear a surgical mask at all times.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 1 July 2021 | Page 1 of 6
This information can change rapidly so please check the NSW Health website at least daily for updates.
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic in NSW has disrupted our ability to move around and gather
together at different times. It has meant a significant change in the way we live and how we engage with
each other.
It has also meant that services have been disrupted at times - including services to people with disability,
such as:
• disability residential accommodation
• respite accommodation services
• employment - including Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE)
• education and training
• day programs
• public transport and disability-specific travel services
• disability supports at home
• other disability services such as disability-related or other health supports, access to the
community, attendance at medical and other appointments etc.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Home care service providers - here
• Residential aged care facilities - here
• Residential disability care facilities - here
New Aged Care Legislation now recognizes NDIS Worker Screening
Aged care legislation has changed to recognise National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) worker
screening clearances. This makes it easier for aged care providers and workers (staff and volunteers) that
support NDIS participants.
From 16 June 2021, an NDIS worker screening clearance will allow approved providers to satisfy the
requirements for aged care staff and volunteers under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Aged Care Act) for those
supporting NDIS participants. These changes help aged care providers that are also registered NDIS
providers and their workers who are in risk assessed roles. The changes may also affect aged care providers
that are not registered NDIS providers if a new worker already holds an NDIS worker screening clearance.
Further information on the changes are available here, including factsheets on how the changes affect:
• aged care providers that are also registered NDIS providers
• aged care providers that are not registered NDIS providers
• aged care workers
These changes are a first step to streamline worker screening. The 2021–22 Budget measure ‘National Care
and Support Worker Regulation’ will seek to align worker screening regulation across the aged care,
disability and veterans' care sectors.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 1 July 2021 | Page 2 of 6
Multi-Purpose Services Program: Minor Capital Grant Opportunity Open
Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) providers can now apply for a grant to undertake minor capitals projects that
directly relate to the provision of residential aged care as part of the upcoming MPS Program Minor Capital
Grant Opportunity. Up to $40m is available over two years starting in 2020-21.
As an MPS provider you must deliver your services in line with these service principles:
• All users or potential users of an MPS will have equitable access to services.
• Service providers must not act in a way that is inconsistent with the rights and responsibilities of
care recipients specified in the Charter of Aged Care Rights.
• Services will be provided in a way that is culturally appropriate and recognises the rights, dignity
and independence of service users.
• Consultation with the local community on health and aged care needs will be undertaken on an
ongoing basis.
• All care recipients or potential care recipients of an MPS will be provided with information on the
operation of the MPS and on the care services available from MPSs.
• Service providers will update and maintain accurate MPS information on the My Aged Care service
finder using the service provider portal.
• MPSs will be managed and delivered in a way that demonstrates a commitment to continuous
quality improvement through participation in an externally recognised accreditation process.
Invitation to apply for minor capital projects
MPS providers are invited to apply to:
• upgrade or extend existing premises
• purchase equipment, including furniture and fittings
• make upgrades to improve aged care service environment for people with dementia and
developing a homelike environment
The maximum amount of funding available is up to $600,000 (GST exclusive) per Multi-Purpose Service.
Applicants must contribute at least 20% of the total project cost as an in-kind or cash co-contribution.
The Multi-Purpose Services Minor Capital Grant Round is now open and closes on 11 August 2021.
Further information
• on the grant opportunity and access to the online application form is on the GrantConnect website
• about the MPS Program is available on the department’s website
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 1 July 2021 | Page 3 of 6NSW Sonic Pfizer Clinic Now Open!
The Sonic HealthCare Pfizer clinic located in Macquarie Park is OPEN NOW for residential aged care and
disability workers aged under 50 years for a COVID-19 vaccination. The Macquarie Park clinic opened on
Monday 24 May and can be accessed from 12.00pm – 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 1.00pm
Saturday/Sunday.
Eligible workers can book an appointment now via the Sonic Healthcare vaccinations website or call
1300 379 878.
The Macquarie Park clinic is the third vaccination clinic to open in Sydney dedicated to residential aged care
and disability workers. The Blacktown Pfizer clinic is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, seven days a week.
The Campbelltown Pfizer clinic is open from 8.00am – 6.00pm, seven days a week. These clinics are for
Sydney-based residential aged care and disability workers aged under 50.
ACSA Consultancy
ACSA Consultancy is an affordable fee-for-service offering, enabling providers to navigate through adverse
compliance outcomes, improve governance and risk management and build capability through a focus on
quality and workforce. Discounts apply for ACSA Members.
ACSA Consultancy can support your organisation through:
• Quality Standards review, responding to adverse compliance outcomes and continuous
improvement.
• Organisational governance, risk management and strategic planning.
• Clinical Governance, incident and complaint management.
• Building leadership capacity through coaching and mentoring with CILCA 360 accredited
practitioners.
• Workforce capability through staffing reviews, training and development.
• Business models and best practice person-centred models of care for sustainability.
• Change management, responding to reforms, implementing standards and legislative changes.
• Optimise funding, ACFI, home care payment in arrears and home care self-management.
Find out more or contact us on consultancy@acsa.asn.au.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 1 July 2021 | Page 4 of 6Join us for our latest Simplifying Workers Compensation series. Over the next 3 weeks we’ll be running 15 minute
information sessions to help you and your business better manage psychological claims.
We’ll tackle some of the complexities involved with managing psychological claims as well as practical tips to ensure
you support your worker and help them return to work. Each session will be facilitated by David Huxley from icare’s
Mobile Engagement Team, along with experts from icare.
Across July, David will be joined by Ben Neville, icare Mental Health Lead. Together they will answer questions about
psychological claims as well as simplifying components of the Workers Compensation legislation.
Week 1 - 10am, July 8
Managing and supporting an employee following a psychological injury in the workplace.
Register now
Week 2 - 10am, July 15
What is reasonable action by an employer and how can section 11a be applied?
Register now
Week 3 - 10am, July 22
Perception of injury claims explained
Register now
These short, interactive sessions will help you navigate the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme. Grab your coffee
and understand more about managing psychological claims.
Recordings will be available on the Mobile Engagement Team webpage.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 1 July 2021 | Page 5 of 6Upcoming ACSA Events & Training
To view all upcoming ACSA Events, Symposiums and Webinars, please click here
To view all upcoming ACSA Training & Professional Development Programs, please click here
You can find out more about the complete ACSA Leadership Program here or view the flyer here.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 1 July 2021 | Page 6 of 6You can also read
