news
‘ No longer satisfactory ’
Some providers underspending on food : report
Almost a third of Australian aged care facilities spend less than 10 dollars a day on residents ’ meals , new data has shown , reviving calls for greater transparency around food spending .
Of the 2,600 aged care facilities which self-reported food data to the Health Department , 67 per cent had a daily meal spend of $ 12.35 per resident , with two per cent spending less than $ 6 .
In July last year , the government committed $ 350 million dollars towards providing aged care facilities an additional $ 10 per day for food per resident .
The 50 providers found to spend less than the required amount have been referred to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission .
“ Providers have a responsibility to ensure the health and wellbeing of residents – but also that this funding is being used appropriately ,” Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck said .
“ A spend less than $ 10 by any provider is no longer a satisfactory outcome .”
Another recent report released by the The Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research examined how some of Australia ’ s largest aged care operators are spending public funds .
The findings , which looked at seven for-profit providers including Regis , TriCare and Southern Cross Care , found each collectively received an estimated $ 110 million last year to improve food quality .
The authors said there was very little evidence as to where and how this money was being spent .
“ The Department of Health has not been able to publicly show how aged care operators have spent this additional funding or indicate any improvement ,” the report read .
As of July 2022 , providers will be required to submit a quarterly financial report including bank statements , balance sheets and labour costs . ■
Training in the Territory
New aged care training facility opens in the NT .
A new aged care training centre has opened at Charles Darwin University ’ s ( CDU ) Casuarina campus to better educate and prepare students .
CDU and the Territory Labor Government invested $ 1.7 million into the centre , which includes four
CDU ’ s Scott Bowman with Minister for Jobs and Training Paul Kirby and Minister for Education and Seniors Lauren Moss at the site of the new centre . Source : Glenn Campbell
specialised beds and modern technology similar to that found in aged care facilities .
Aged Care Insite spoke with CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman , who said that “ there will be a need for the next generation of health care workers ”.
“ The centre is a dedicated space that ’ s been built with modern training needs in mind ,” Bowman said .
The NT has over 1500 aged care workers , though a high staff turnover , ranging from 30 to 70 per cent , could cause complications .
The sector also faces difficulties due to remoteness , and a lack of suitable accommodation .
“ We ’ ve got to look at how we can get similar training facilities and opportunities right around the Northern Territory ,” Bowman said .
“ Working in partnership with those facilities and showing people that there can be really rewarding , meaningful , exciting career opportunities in aged care ” can help solve the workforce shortage and retention issues , Bowman added .
NT ’ s population is ageing rapidly , pushing the need to expand aged care staff .
It is estimated the number of Territorians aged over 65 will increase by 242 per cent by 2041 , and the number of Indigenous Territorians aged 65 + is expected to increase by 340 per cent in the same period .
Over a third of NT ’ s aged care clients identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander .
“ We ’ re fortunate that more Aboriginal peoples are living into older age and there needs to be great care facilities for them ,” Bowman said . ■
2 agedcareinsite . com . au