The APA supports the proposed Australian National – Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) report released by the Department of Health last week, which represents a major shift in approach to aged care management and funding.

However, we are disappointed with the lack of separate funding for allied health services, restorative care and pain management, and will be using our seat at the consultation table to advocate for this to be addressed.

Chair of the National Gerontology Group Vanessa Jessup, APAM, and APA Board Director Rik Dawson represented the APA for the release of the recommendations in Canberra and will continue to advocate for members.

The proposed AN-ACC aged care model and funding system follows on from the completion of analysis of relative cost drivers in the sector and development of a new tool for assessing resident funding needs as part of its Resource Utilisation and Classification Study (RUCS) which the Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) undertook throughout the course of 2018.

The proposed new model introduces external assessors, which will include physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses, to determine aged care residents’ needs, and places residents in 13 categories.

Members are invited to provide feedback on any aspect of the proposed model, including:

• the findings of the RUCS and the structure of the proposed AN-ACC funding model
• the potential impacts (benefits, costs, risks) of the adoption of the AN-ACC funding model
• potential flow on effects and linkages with other programs or reforms in aged care
• potential implementation and transition considerations associated with the AN-ACC model.

AHSRI’s recommendations have been presented as seven reports. For more information, please read through relevant reports.

To contribute to the consultation please provide feedback by Friday 17 May via policy@australian.physio.