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The 2019–20 Australian bushfires caused extensive damage. IRT Aged Care Homes was one of many aged care providers affected. In this case study, their Executive General Manager discusses the impact on residents, their emergency management approach and some lessons that changed the way they will manage bushfire emergencies in the future.

Incident at Yallambee Lodge, Cooma NSW - Statement from Janet Anderson PSM, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner

Statement from Janet Anderson PSM, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner

The Albanese Government has received the independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Revision of the Quality Standards was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Department of Health and Aged Care is in the process of finalising its review and advising Government of the outcomes including a strengthened set of Quality Standards.

The Department of Health and Aged Care is conducting a public consultation for the revised Aged Care Quality Standards from 17 October – 25 November 2022. Everyone connected to the aged care sector – aged care recipients, families and carers, providers, workers, experts and peaks – is encouraged to attend the department’s online consultation launch webinar on Monday 17 October, from 1:00–3:00 pm AEDT.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability identified that psychotropic medicines are being misused and overused, particularly with older people and people with disability. Inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines has been recognised as a safety and quality issue in health care. The use of psychotropic medicines can be appropriate for treating, or enabling the treatment of, a diagnosed mental disorder or a physical illness or physical condition. However, using psychotropic medicines, such as antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, to calm, soothe, sedate or influence or control the behaviour of people who exhibit behaviours of concern is a restrictive practice and is subject to regulatory oversight.

The national Aged Care Quality Standards have been in effect since 1 July 2019 following an extensive consultation process.

The Commission is requesting Residential Services complete a Self-Assessment Survey to support COVID-19 preparedness.

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe illness for older Australians with serious complications including death. The start to this influenza season has seen a high level of influenza activity with recent statistics showing that already at least 54 Australians have died from influenza, of which 42 have been aged 65 and over.