Fourteen aged care providers across Australia will receive $2 million in government grants to address two critical sector-wide challenges identified as “wicked problems” by industry leaders: workforce burnout and data literacy gaps.
The Flagship Project Grants, announced by Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA), represent a coordinated response to issues that have plagued the sector for years, with participating organisations receiving up to $120,000 each plus matched co-contributions.
The initiative comes as the aged care sector continues to grapple with workforce pressures, staff retention issues and limited career progression opportunities that were highlighted in the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
ARIIA CEO Reuben Jacob said the collaborative approach was essential to solving persistent industry challenges.
“Rather than working in silos, we need to encourage a more collaborative and innovative approach to solve the most difficult and pervasive problems,” Jacob said.
“We want to offer more education and career pathways to aged care workers, better sharing of data to inform decisions, and better management of wound care and pressure injuries as this could improve quality of life for older Australians and reduce hospital admissions.”
The Royal Commission found “intractable problems that required greater collaboration and multi-disciplinary approaches,” prompting the development of these flagship projects designed to unite the sector.
Project 1: Leadership and Career Pathways
Six providers will tackle workforce challenges through a flexible leadership model aimed at clarifying roles, improving communication and creating career pathways. The project addresses ongoing issues with staff workload, burnout, and retention by incorporating feedback from staff, leadership, clients, and families.
Participating organisations include Australian Unity (Sydney), Benetas (Melbourne), Beaumont Care (Queensland), Feros Care (Gold Coast), integratedliving Australia (NSW), and Life Without Barriers (Queensland).
Project 2: Data Literacy for Quality Care
Eight providers will focus on empowering staff with data skills to improve care quality, specifically targeting pressure injuries and wound care management. The project aims to build capability in using routinely collected data for evidence-based improvements.
Participants include Alwyndor (Adelaide), Bolton Clarke (Melbourne), Elderbloom (Perth), Fronditha Care (Melbourne), Glow Health Care (Sydney), Lifeview (Melbourne), Regents Garden (Perth), and Warrigal (Wollongong).
ARIIA Senior Manager Strategic Projects Holly Sparrow emphasized the diverse representation across the selected providers.
“The selected sites represent a diverse mix of metropolitan and regional providers, small and large organisations, as well as residential and home care services, ensuring the learnings and outcomes are relevant to a broad range of providers,” Sparrow said.
“ARIIA, along with a selection of subject matter experts, will provide each organisation with ongoing tailored support, and we are excited to facilitate the collaboration and shared learning within the projects and across the sector.”
The 12-month projects are funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, with providers selected through an assessment process led by the Aged Care Collaborative Advisory Group comprising sixteen industry leaders and policymakers.
Jacob said the ultimate goal extends beyond individual provider improvements to sector-wide transformation.
“The Flagship Projects bring together providers from diverse contexts with the expertise to develop scalable solutions that can be adopted more broadly across the sector with the ultimate aim to improve the holistic wellbeing and quality of care for older Australians,” he said.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
