“Implementation will not be perfect on 1 November”  – Ahead of new Act, Alex Lynch of CHA voices that, “providers need the flexibility to focus on caring for older Australians”

Providers must focus on maintaining care excellence

In a series of statements that cut to the heart of how many high-performing providers are approaching the new Act of November 1, Alex Lynch of Catholic Health Australia (CHA) re-articulates where focus should always be. As the date has drawn closer, government has been increasingly launching measures to underpin the new Act. From the “New Aged Care Act roadmap”, to the arguably late release of the “final Aged Care Rules” on September 26, much has come the sector’s way. Lynch highlights that provider members are increasingly voicing to government that their focus needs to foremost be on maintaining excellence in care; the technical compliance will be worked towards appropriately without compromising the point of the sector, quality aged care.

Systemic improvements

A reality in the sector is the tension between overarching regulatory compliance measures to safeguard care and the real-world implications of how these policies affect resident, provider and industry. The move to standardise excellence in care is a welcome one throughout the sector, however from Star ratings concerns and reports of care minute non-compliance or fraud, the sector has rightfully articulated areas of needed systemic improvement. And while such measures are a tool by which both resident, loved-one and government can hope to quickly assess poor-performers, regulations are only as good as their ability to secure sustained realities for those in the most vulnerable of circumstances.

Collaborative learning over compliance burden

Compliance burden and red-tape has long been a frustration of provider leadership who have consistently shown sustained top-rated performance. It is no different, in the face of a once-in-a-lifetime update to aged care regulation, that the impetus for collaborative, nuanced, consistent and flexible growth be the attitude of government as providers seek to meet the technical updates come November 1.

The size, complexity and desire to “get it right” is top of mind for all of CHA’s member providers, Lynch shares. In his role as Director of Aged Care at CHA, Lynch shows that the role of the peak body is as needed and active as ever in these last few weeks before November 1. He shares that the conversations, support and navigation of rules and regulations are still underway.

“Catholic Health Australia is engaged in constructive and ongoing discussions with the government on behalf of its members regarding the implementation of the Aged Care Act.”

Welcome reform

It is vital government and wider society to be clear as to the attitude of providers as the Act draws near. The welcoming of regulatory lift to ensure excellence in aged care is maintained is widespread.

“Our members are looking forward to the commencement of the Act which will help deliver the high-quality care that older Australians need and deserve.”

Yet what is hoped for from numerous chats with providers across the nation, is the awareness from government as to the lift that providers are embarking on. It is not with providing quality care, for high-performing providers are currently committed to this standard, but in adhering to the extensive rules, and remaining confusion surrounding them, that providers are seeking continued open channels of communication and nuance.

As providers learn to interpret and enact technicalities appropriately, there must be understanding and willingness from government to work with technical imperfection.

Maintained care over technical perfection

Lynch shares peak body and provider members sentiment towards the hope of government understanding and subsequent treatment.

“At this stage of the process, the main thing providers are seeking is understanding – from the Department and the Commission – that implementation will not be perfect on 1 November”.

Therein lies the nuance that providers have been seeking to voice for months ahead of the commencement of the Act. High-performers, with a track-record of high-quality care, need the understanding from government that the hammer of technical non-compliance will not have the potential to shift focus from providing the precedent of excellence in care, in either being a current distraction or punitive measure.

“Breathing space”

The role of regulation is always to safeguard residents, their care must foremost be the sustained focus of providers and government. If technicalities derail the ability for quality care then there is more work to be done in the finesse and reform of policy.

In a helpful move, Lynch notes that it will be both sector and government learning together come the November 1 enactment of the new Act.

“Providers – and Government – will need time to identify issues and address them. During this period, providers need the flexibility to focus on caring for older Australians, with breathing space to reach technical compliance with individual components of the Rules and the Act not directly impacting care provision.”