2019-08-06 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 6 AUGUST 2019


been backfilled on a temporary basis while the team adjusts to new work practices, however,
things should further stabilise over the coming months.

Our long-term NCS Coordinator retired at the end of June and unfortunately his replacement
failed to commence in the role despite accepting the position following the recruitment process.
Council’s Community Facilities Manager will provide management support to the NCS team until
such time that a more permanent solution can be found.

4.   SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND OTHER MATTERS

   Unfortunately NCS recently lost the portion of its funding that relates to services delivered
     to under 65 clients (QCC program), effective 1 July 2019. Largely as a result of the
     introduction of the NDIS program across Queensland, the QCC program has been
     abolished and replaced with a smaller QCSS program for clients who are ineligible for the
     NDIS. Applications to become a QCSS provider were sought via an open tender process
     and unfortunately Council was unsuccessful in our application. NCS received less than a
     month’s notice of the loss of funding but was succsesful in negotiating a transition of
     services across to Anglicare for affected clients. CHSP funding and HAS funding continue
     unaffected by the these changes.
   NCS applied for a one-off CHSP innovation funding package in March 2019 and has just
     been notified this application was unsuccessful.
   Continuous improvement actions are regularly being identified however many opportunities
     are unable to be realised due to the restriants of the current centre management software
     package. Management has commenced research into improved software solutions and a
     time and motion study is underway in order to quantify potential efficiencies of an improved
     offering.
   All staff have received ongoing training in manual handling, fire evacuations, dementia
     awareness, elder abuse and client advocacy.
   Processes, procuedures and policies are being updated to comply with the new Aged Care
     Quality Standards.
   Staff experienced a significant increase in counselling and advocacy for under 65
     consumers due to the confusion surrounding the NDIS and QCSS programs.
   NCS was audited by the Aged Care Quality Agency and met audited standards. Very
     positive feedback was recevied from the auditor.
   Approximately 35kw of solar panels installed at the centre with large electricity cost savings
     already evident.

5.   FUTURE DIRECTION

   Continue developing a strategy to streamline and refine the operations of NCS in order to
     become more efficient and effective and to accommodate recent and possible future
     funding changes.
   Replacement of recently retired NCS Coordinator.
   Review services to determine existing capacity for growth.
   Continue working with Council to better utilise existing facilities and established programs
     and activities within the region for the purposes of delivering services to NCS clients.
   Analysis of dementia-specific programs to continue in order to meet the needs of the rising
     numbers of clients who present with dementia.
   Implementation of an upgraded telephone system will allow admin staff to assist service
     delivery staff with the increased number of client callers who require clarity with the new My
     Aged Care processes. All admin staff are trained to answer My Aged Care enquiries and to
     simplify the processes for elderly clients, many of whom have dementia.




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