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This article was published on Thursday, 18 February, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Council’s aged care services top a government review

The review was conducted by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. Council’s Manager Neighbourhoods Amanda Tingay said “It was pleasing to note that feedback on the day, and the interim report, acknowledged the great service the team provides to older people in our community.”

Reviews are conducted on a three yearly cycle to ensure compliance under the Aged Care Act with the Home Care Standards.

“As a department we critically reviewed our current practice against the standards and undertook a self-assessment process in preparation for the audit,” said Ms Tingay.

“Auditors spent time looking at our policies, procedures and files, measuring them for compliance with the standards. They also spent time with staff examining their practice and met with a sample of clients to hear their feedback regarding the service.”

There are three standards and a total of 18 expected outcomes.

Standard 1 looks at Effective Management. The eight expected outcomes are: Corporate governance, regulatory compliance, information management systems, community understanding and engagement, continuous improvement, risk management, human resources management and management physical resources.

Standard 2 looks at appropriate access and service delivery. The five expected outcomes are: service access, assessment, care plan development and delivery, service user reassessment and service user referral.

Standard 3 looks at Service user rights and responsibilities. The five expected outcomes are: Information provision, privacy and confidentiality, complaints and service user feedback, advocacy and independence.

“We are very pleased to have achieved 100 per cent compliance with the 18 expected outcomes,” she said.

“This result is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff towards providing quality care to eligible residents assisting them to remain living at home and in their community as independently as possible.”