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Occupational Therapy Australia
Home Policy and Advocacy Aged Care Update 28 January 2025

Policy and Advocacy Aged Care Update 28 January 2025

Submission on Aged Care Rules – Residential Care Service List 

OTA has provided detailed feedback to the government’s consultation on the Residential Aged Care Service List, building on our previous submission regarding the Aged Care Rules – Service List in October 2024. 

In this latest submission, OTA highlighted several significant concerns regarding the service list, particularly its impact on the provision of allied health services and access to aids and equipment. 

We are particularly concerned that the service list does not adequately emphasise the obligations of providers to ensure that residents receive allied health services tailored to their assessed needs. We also raised our concerns about the service list’s narrow focus on physical functioning in allied health service provision. This approach is inconsistent with the human rights principles underpinning the New Aged Care Act and the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. 

Additionally, OTA flagged critical gaps in the process for assessing, prescribing, and monitoring aids and equipment, including mobility aids. The service list does not clearly define who will undertake these responsibilities, leaving a significant ambiguity in service delivery. 

We also expressed concern over the restriction on residential aged care providers being required to supply customised items, despite acknowledging that such equipment is often essential based on assessed need. OTA has called for a reconsideration of this restriction to ensure residents’ needs are adequately met. 

Our submission is available to view here.

Opportunity to Participate in a Study on Outcome Measurement Tools in Aged Care 

Researchers are seeking participation from health professionals from a range of backgrounds to participate in a study titled "Aged Care: GEM-OMATIC: Geriatric Evaluation and Management: Outcome Measures that are Automated, Timely, Interoperable and Consolidated". This study has been approved by the CSIRO Low Risk Review Panel Number: 2024_035_LR. 

Led by CSIRO's Australian eHealth Research Centre, the study aims to understand how Outcome Measurement Tools (OMTs) are used in aged care across Australia. This project seeks to: 

  • Identify OMTs currently used and map their application. 

  • Understand the challenges, priorities, and decision-making processes around OMT selection. 

  • Explore how digital solutions could improve information sharing and collaboration across disciplines. 

  • Identify common data elements and areas of redundancy in existing tools.  

The aim is to engage clinicians and stakeholders involved in aged care and assessments to ensure a comprehensive understanding of current practices and opportunities for improvement. 

This study involves a combination of online surveys and semi-structured interviews conducted with health professionals across multiple disciplines. 

Click here for more information.   

Advocating for Improvements to the GEAT Portal: OTA Meets with Indigo 

OTA recently met with Indigo, which is the national provider of Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (GEAT) via geat2GO, an Australian government initiative under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). The meeting was prompted by reports from OTA members regarding increasingly shorter timeframes available for prescribers to order equipment via the portal. 

During the meeting, Indigo acknowledged the issue and advised that they are meeting regularly with the Department of Health and Aged Care to identify solutions to the challenges faced by prescribers. The Department is currently considering requesting additional funding to address these concerns for the remainder of the year. 

OTA will continue to engage with Indigo, to provide member feedback and discuss the ongoing challenges faced by occupational therapists and their clients. If you or someone in your network has experienced difficulties with the geat2GO portal, we encourage you to share your feedback by emailing policy@otaus.com.au.

OTA will continue to keep members updated.

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