National Standards
Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) has developed the Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module to support eligible Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) meet their accreditation obligations via a streamlined assessment process.
Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module
The Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module (the MPS Aged Care Module) has been developed by the Commission in collaboration with the Australian Government, state and territory departments of health, and the Commission’s Multi-Purpose Services Project Advisory Committee. The MPS Aged Care Module describes, in six actions, the requirements of the Aged Care Quality Standards not covered by the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. It is only applicable to eligible MPS and was endorsed by the Australian Health Minister’s Advisory Council on 7 February 2020.
Eligibility and accreditation assessments
Eligibility
To be eligible to be assessed against the NSQHS Standards and MPS Aged Care Module, an MPS must be recognised by the Australian Government Department of Health as part of the MPS program.
Eligible MPS are now able to be accredited to the NSQHS Standards and the MPS Aged Care Module using a streamlined assessment process under the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme.
Accreditation assessments
As part of contractual arrangements with the Australian Government Department of Health, eligible MPS are now required to be assessed to the MPS Aged Care Module at the time of their next scheduled assessment to the NSQHS Standards.
From 1 May 2021, eligible MPS assessed to the MPS Aged Care Module will have the outcomes of the six actions counted towards their accreditation assessment outcome.
MPS should confirm with their approved accrediting agency the date for their next scheduled assessment to the MPS Aged Care Module.
The Commission recommends that eligible MPS commence a gap analysis to the actions in the MPS Aged Care Module now, and commence implementation of strategies to address gaps in a timely way.
Resources
A number of resources are available from the Commission to support eligible MPS implement the MPS Aged Care Module.
Safety and Quality Advice Centre
For further advice, contact the Safety and Quality Advice Centre.
Assessor orientation to the MPS Aged Care Module and User Guide for Multi-Purpose Services
This course aims to provide assessors with an introduction to the intent and applicability of the Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Aged Care Module and User Guide (MPS Aged Care Module). Completion of this educational update is required for all assessors participating in assessment of MPS to the NSQHS Standards and MPS Aged Care Module. Follow the links to access the:
Background
The Multi-Purpose Services Program is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments. MPS provide integrated services to consumers that may include acute, emergency, sub-acute, community, primary care and aged care services for small regional and remote communities. MPS enable services to exist in regions that may not be able to viably support stand-alone hospitals, residential, respite and home based aged care services.
MPS delivering acute and sub-acute health services must be accredited to the NSQHS Standards, whilst MPS providing aged care services must also be accredited to the Aged Care Quality Standards.
The Australian Government Department of Health has agreed MPS completing the NSQHS Standards and MPS Aged Care Module do not need to be assessed separately against the Aged Care Quality Standards, thereby reducing compliance burdens for MPS providing Commonwealth-subsidised aged-care services.