Controversy over how the Department of Health is tackling the issues Aged Care faces continues this week, as further outsourcing projects with the aim to help improve the service have been revealed. The Australian Ageing Agenda (AAA) have discovered several projects now authorised by the Department of Health are currently in effect, which includes:
A $990,000 tender to Ernst & Young for an “Aged Care Funding Instrument Audit Consultancy’ to take place from the 12th January 2017 to the 30th June 2019.
A $205,084 tender to Applied Aged Care Solutions for “the provision of a review of the Aged Care Funding Agreement” to take place from 10th February 2017 and the 24th April 2017.
A $50,000 tender to Matthew Pegg Consulting for the “provision of legal services on Aged Care Funding Instrument policy development” to take place from the 30th January 2017 to June 2017.
Outsourcing earlier this year
This marks the fourth Aged Care analysis to be outsourced this year, with the first being awarded to Deloitte Access Economics, which were given a $366,700 tender to provide an “analysis of unmet demand and the potential implications of uncapping supply in aged care”.
While outsourcing can have its benefits, such as the ability to tap into new knowledge bases for greater innovation, many people are worried that the length of time required, as well as the large sums of money, could better be used in-house.
Department of Health remains confident
But the Department of Health is confident that these outsource projects will benefit and improve the Aged Care system. At a hearing on Wednesday, Dr Nick Hartland, first assistant secretary of the aged care policy and regulation defended the decision to outsource analyses, claiming they needed people who were “fresh to the system”.
“It was about getting different perspectives and a range of these studies are quite complex; they involve looking at the population surveys”.
Helen Polley, the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care, was also questioned on Wednesday. She stated that external firms were chosen to provide “expertise” that the department itself could not currently provide, as well as unique insights into various long-standing issues.
What is outsourcing?
Outsourcing is the process in which a company assigns various processes to an external agency rather than performing these processes themselves. This can be done by companies for a variety of reasons. For example, a company creating products for sale may wish to outsource its production to reduce labour costs involved.
But not all outsourcing involves physical labour. Some companies may wish to outsource to external firms to help drive innovation. A company may be looking to create a unique new product for its customers but are struggling with ideas. Outsourcing analyses to firms to help innovate may provide what they need to gain an edge over their competitors.
However, companies, such as governments, may wish to outsource analyses to attempt to provide new insights and answers to problems that the country may currently be facing.
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My name Wendy extremely pleased with the services provided by Home Caring . Their comprehensive approach, expertise, and dedication to meeting the unique needs of individuals with disabilities have made a significant difference in the lives of many. The team’s professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care for their clients are commendable. I highly recommend Home Caring to anyone seeking exceptional support and services for .This The Best for helping people Kindness,Thank you so much
am extremely pleased with the services provided by Home Caring . Their comprehensive approach, expertise, and dedication to meeting the unique needs of individuals with disabilities have made a significant difference in the lives of many. The team’s professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care for their clients are commendable. I highly recommend Home Caring to anyone seeking exceptional support and services for disabilities.”
After so many years of changing support workers and NDIS company now I can certainly say that this Home caring Hills District is one of the best NDIS providers and best people that I’ve came across, so professional with their work and so understanding. Thank you Home Caring Hills District to make our life so easy and happy again
I am so happy to have Home Caring Redland Bay. Lee The principal of the company is a loving and caring person and is available to speak to if you need something done. Communication with staff and Lee are lovingly heard and extras are efficiently fixed. The interest is always the clients first. I highly recommend them
Great aged care provider, the team at Home Caring Tranmere provide excellent service. They are very friendly and communicate well. Highly recommend Home Caring Tranmere!
Home caring in Armadale, have been fantastic for my Mum. Florence and Desiree have gone out of their way to make her feel comfortable and at ease. Their staff are polite, caring, friendly and professional, and always very prompt when returning emails and phone calls.
I cannot speak more highly of Home Caring Tranmere or their Director Annie T. We are new to the system and this is the most positive we have felt in a long time. We no longer feel like a number. Annie answers any questions promptly. We are at last receiving wonderful help inside and outside our home. Thanku Home Caring...the name is exactly what you do.
Home Caring Tranmere South AustraliaFantastic service with caring staff and Annie Tsoumbris, the Director is amazing. So helpful and caring. We had to switch from another Home Care package provider as they cancelled our Dad's contract but Annie was so happy to take on Dad's case and always showed true compassion. I would definitely recommended Home Caring Tranmere!!!
I can’t thank these nurses enough for helping with my dad I would highly recommend them to anyone that needs help with a family member what an amazing service thank you soo much
The flexibility and responsiveness of this service is amazing. They truly understand putting the customer first and go above and beyond in helping my friend achieve her goals and live a quality life. Would highly recommend this service if you want control and choice when using NDIS supports to achieve your goals.
When it comes to NDIS and customer service, these guys are the place to go. Their key focus is customer service and they really go that extra mile to keeping their clients happy and ensuring they find the most suitable staff to get the best results out of their clients. 100% happy customer, 6mths later. Communication is key.
Moved from ANHF on the prospect that Home Caring would be more flexible and quicker.Initially, good but Dementia Caring has grown and there is more management. They are now slower in decision making and less flexible.Probably should have stuck with ANHF as at least they have a larger staff pool.
Signed up with HomeCaring/Dementia Caring last year with with the Smithfield branch on behalf of a relative. Whilst their fees were not the cheapest, they were a small home care provider that promised a lot and flexible to deal with.Initially, they were reasonable.Home Caring has grown and they now have a larger management team. For the client, this has equated to the client, more roadblocks, more compliance and less flexibility... the decision to switch is now questionable :(Their care worker force is also not that big and quality varies depending on who you get.
I had to post 1 star to comment. I give this company NO STAR RATING.They are frauds wanting to see what's in your house take, over yr fundingTake over yr medical team,A 2 hour interrogation including asking do I have a GUN AND IS IT LOADED.!????I promptly ended this interview of interrogation.Do NOT entertain these charlatans.Wasted my time...invaded my privacy.Shocking experience.Report to NDIS!!
Sham of a company. Took my NDIS money. Billed for phantom services. Received no support after having committed 100s of thousands of dollars to the organization. Total lies and fabrication. Beware they are a shameful NDIS operator. No Caring. Took advantage of disabled people. Complete lack of protocol and did not meet my requirements. I would recommend people steer clear of this scam. I was better off without this company. No duty of care shown whatsoever. Greedy and money hungry operation that displays little care for their clients.
Horrendous, Deceptive, and Exploitative - Avoid This Fraudulent Company at All CostsI cannot overstate how appalling my experience with this so-called NDIS provider has been. From start to finish, this organization has proven to be nothing more than a pit of lies, greed, and incompetence, leaving me in a far worse situation than when I first approached them for help. If there were a competition for the most shameful, unethical, and utterly fraudulent NDIS operator, this organization would undoubtedly win without contest. They are, without a doubt, a worthless piece of trash and a disgrace to the NDIS community.False Promises and Deceptive TacticsFrom the outset, this company lures vulnerable individuals and families with grandiose promises of care, support, and life-changing services. They paint a picture of compassion and professionalism, but it’s nothing more than a thin facade hiding their real intention: to siphon as much money as possible from unsuspecting clients. I entrusted them with hundreds of thousands of dollars of my precious NDIS funding, expecting a high level of care and support tailored to my needs. What did I receive in return? Absolutely NOTHING. Not a single genuine service, not a shred of support, not even the decency of honest communication.Phantom Billing and Fraudulent PracticesThis organization has mastered the art of phantom billing. They billed my NDIS account for services that were never provided, blatantly fabricating invoices and records. When questioned, they offered vague, nonsensical explanations and outright refused to provide evidence of the so-called “support” I had supposedly received. This is outright theft. They prey on individuals with disabilities, knowing full well that we rely on our NDIS funding to survive and thrive, and they exploit this vulnerability with shameless greed.
I totally agree with the comment below. My late mum was charged for close to $9000 for home amendments and services we never received. I had to chase up the last statements for 8 months which proved the wrongful charges. I filed a claim.SHAME ON YOU FOR EXPLOITING ELDERLY VULNERABLE PEOPLE!My mum would have never realised what they did, if I didn't follow up.So YES, BEWARE!!!
Pathetic customer service. Don’t care about old people. Should not be in this business.They give the account to sub contractors /other companies and don’t respond to any problems after that.
Absolutely disgusting. Would never use again, they wrongly billed all the time and once noticed became very difficult and am still dealing with their incompetence over 6 months later. Do not use unless you want your funding stolen by these guys.
I replied to a person saying they would assist me to find my right fit? I have been having services for more than 3 decades. So well versed in normal acceptable procedures in 2 states. Never, ever been told Insurance companies and carer representation with clients. Must be in 2 hour blocks. I am a level a 4 package. Paraplegic, chair required.I was told my needs would e fully met am and pm. I am currently having chemo for cancer. I am asking for 2 hrs a day, 5-7 days a week. Cleaning once a week, physio stretches twice a week. Never having meals from online. It was suggested I could. I am seeing a huge problem on weekly hour usage. You?They come across as lovely hard working people with No over all experience. Very lacking with general procedure progression., tailor making.No records left behind like a daily report for the client. An absolute must have to protect all parties.Even waiting up to 70 days for funds to be transferred into their bank account. So they can then take off running. They still say they cannot give me an am and pm service.Knowing they cannot give the service I have been given for decades. They will hang on to their 1 yr contract. Which is of no benefit to me. Been to My Aged Care who have said to get them to discuss and provide.They come back with same. Work place agreement disallows helpers to work less than a 2 hour minimum.I have been told by My Aged Care who to go to for assistance, and solicitor and Advocare. One would always hope agreement could be come to without. Best intentions and no adequate service. Are no good.Would appreciate any comment put forward. If you have read thus far. I appreciate that greatly.Obviously the person who said he would find best fit. Is at the very bottom of all this. That is the nitty gritty dirty work going on. Kickbacks would be the game. Otherwise how would you make a living.
(Dissatisfied wife of client)Service does not commence until 1 week after start of contract. This was not made clear beforehand.Training of workers is to be provided by client at client's expense. This was not made clear beforehand.At commencement of 3rd week of service worker does not turn up. No notice provided. 4 hours later provider advises client to make alternative care arrangements for future care. Contract abandoned by provider.
Small player which was good - but now that they have grown, their attention, speed and effectiveness is like the big players.Not consistent in their policies and decisions. Case managers are nice people - but don't really understand client needs.Tends to be based out West
