At the end of the year that was, where the impacts of systemic shifts are reverberating throughout the aged care sector, what do we know that will help us steer a successful course into 2015?
Overwhelmingly, we know that with every move the government makes whether it be a media release, speech, policy announcement or tender, their commitment to reform is confirmed. Safe to say, ‘there is no turning back!’ Consumer Directed Care will need to be implemented across all Home Care Packages by July 1, 2015 and that will include the 6,653 new packages in the recent ACAR allocations.
The 2014 ACAR reached a competitive level not previously experienced. Here is some information that ‘underlines’ that statement:
- There were seventeen applications received for every one home care package available. Of the new packages allocated 45% were for new home care services. This meant that although an application was of a high quality, it still might not have been successful. It also means that just because you have a presence in the region doesn’t mean you are viewed as the best option for that region.
- We have all hypothesised about ‘how’ the ACAR is assessed and places allocated; however the Department highlighted 3 common reasons why an application may not have been successful this year:
- The applicant did not demonstrate a strong understanding of how it would deliver home care on a Consumer Directed Care (CDC) basis;
- The applicant did not demonstrate that its management and/or service delivery workforce had sufficient relevant experience or expertise; and
- The applicant did not demonstrate a strong understanding of the requirements of service delivery under aged care legislation. For example, ensuring quality of care in service delivery or protecting the rights of care recipients.
We know that during the next 6 months the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will be gearing up for the separation of assessment from service delivery:
- Assessments will now be undertaken by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS), with a strong focus on reablement and wellness.
- The RAS will also provide short-term case management to link services and supports for older people and their families in complex situations.
- Consortiums have been forming nationally to compete for the funding to deliver this important new service.
- However as with CDC, this will require a significant shift in the way services are designed, delivered and evaluated.
- The Minister has advised that there will be a review of sector support and advocacy services with a report due in August 2015, and that all other services funded through CHSP will continue to be funded for an additional 2 years.
- However he has also advised that there will be a single aged care system in the future and that ultimately the consumer will hold the funds.
We know the ‘My Aged Care’ website will now include unfunded service providers:
- Consumers will have even more choice
- Providers will have more competition
- Never before has brand and marketing been so vital to the sustainability of providers in this sector.
We know that there are current pilots of Consumer Directed Care service models underway for residential aged care:
- The KPMG report on the outcomes is expected around April 2015.
- We don’t know yet what will happen in this area; however we do know that within 2 years of the KPMG report on CDC in Home Care we now have full transition!
During my many conversations with aged care providers during the last 2 years, I have continuously heard the expression ‘transformational change’. During the next 6 months providers will have the opportunity to ‘transform’:
- Develop a successful consumer-directed service model
- An effective workforce design
- A compelling value proposition.
This will require a deep understanding of the reasons for change; a recognition of the things that will need to be done differently; a willingness to work with consumers; staff with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for success; systems designed to support productivity and innovation; and a measurement and reporting system that has at its centre the difference being made to people’s lives and living.
2015 will be exciting.