Clinical governance in aged care. This fact sheet is .

Clinical governance in aged care. [1, 12] There is no The new Aged Care Act (new Act), coming into effect from 1 November 2025, will put the rights and needs of older people at the centre of aged care. This fact sheet is The AICD’s Governing for quality aged care – A director’s guide (the Guide) provides practical guidance to Australian directors to meet new governance obligations in the aged care sector. Partners Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission The resource "Clinical governance in aged care" has expired and is no longer available. The new Aged Care Act 2024 (new Aged Care Act) requires providers to act in line with upholding the rights of older people, as written in the Statement of Rights. Dec 2, 2022 · Aged Care is undergoing unique challenge in retaining and recruiting a skilled workforce whilst meeting high regulatory compliance and community expectation. Effective clinical governance leadership is the cornerstone of delivering safe, high-quality care in aged care settings. Ensuring the board is active in monitoring and ensuring accountability for the quality of care delivered to its consumers through a Abstract Background: Individuals in residential and aged care facilities (RACFs) are at risk of developing health care-associated infections (HAIs) due to factors such as age-related changes in physiology, immunity, comorbid illness and functional disability. Oct 16, 2025 · Clinical Governance in the aged care sector has gained greater prominence in light of the system failings identified through the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. What did the aged care royal commission recommend on governance? The royal commission’s final report called out the need for aged care providers to lift their governance, by: Establishing a skilled, capable and independent board 1 to oversee the organisation. To be able to provide safe Fact sheet 3: Core elements of clinical governance This is part of a series of fact sheets about clinical governance in aged care that aim to help aged care providers meet their responsibilities for ensuring the quality and safety of clinical care. Aug 2, 2019 · With older people entering residential aged care at older ages and with increased fragility, clinical governance - as distinct from governance of resident 'care' - is a critical element in ensuring the health of residents. Abstract Rationale: Clinical governance (CG) is a systematic approach to improving care quality, ensuring healthcare organisations and professionals are accountable for safe, effective, and continuously advancing practice. Good Sep 16, 2021 · Student's reflective report on clinical governance within an aged care facility. She is now also a Certified Health Informatician Australasia, having recently completed the exam with the Australasian Institute of Digital Health. There are different national guidelines for infection prevention and control in hospitals [4] and residential aged care facilities (RACFs) [5]. Oct 28, 2020 · The Clinical Governance in Aged Care conference is taking place on 28th & 29th October 2020 via live stream and will support you with the knowledge and practical insights to improve safety, accountability and compliance. This draft guidance material is intended to support providers to comply with the strengthened Quality Standards. Clinical governance supports aged care organisations to deliver high-quality care and services to achieve good health and wellbeing outcomes through positive care experiences. Nov 18, 2021 · She consults and advises providers on clinical governance and medico-legal risk, particularly in the aged care space. Learn about the principles, pillars and practical applications in healthcare. Access tools, training, and frameworks to enhance care quality and compliance. Jan 1, 2025 · This framework provides a consistent national approach to clinical governance in healthcare, focusing on governance structures, leadership, culture, safety and quality improvement systems, clinical performance, care environment, and consumer partnerships. explains the role of clinical governance in aged care and the benefits it brings to care recipients, their families, and the organisation’s team members. For more information on Clinical Governance and the stakeholders involved in developing these resources, visit our Clinical Governance page. These changes have significant implications for boards, requiring more than incremental improvement. Our Provider Governance Policy outlines our expectations of providers and guiding principles of good governance. It requires a culture of safety and quality of care across the whole aged care organisation. A clinical governance framework is now a regulatory requirement for all aged care organisations (Outcome 5. [1] Clinical governance describes the approach an organisation takes to ensure good clinical outcomes. Concerns over the quality and safety of aged care services dominate the environment in which aged care boards are operating and, in particular, poor quality and safety outcomes for aged care consumers have exposed significant flaws in systems of clinical governance. [1] Although there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to clinical governance, [1] the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) suggests six core, interrelated elements to clinical Clinical governance is defined as: “an integrated set of leadership behaviours, policies, procedures, responsibilities, relationships, planning, monitoring and improvement mechanisms that are implemented to support safe, quality clinical care and good clinical outcomes for each consumer” (1). Effective clinical governance is critical to the delivery of safe and high quality care for aged care consumers. Outcome 5. We identified little information on factors shown to enable or impede the implementation or efectiveness of clinical governance in the aged care context. Aug 26, 2023 · Fact sheet 2: Clinical governance and the Aged Care Quality Standards July 2019 Page1of 9Clinical governance and the Aged Care Quality Standards Clinical governance in aged care This is part of a series of fact sheets about clinical governance in aged care that aim to help aged care providers meet their responsibilities for ensuring the quality and safety of clinical care. Good Oct 16, 2025 · With these collective skills, experiences and perspectives, Melanie consults in clinical governance across a range of sectors including aged care, healthcare, community services, community health and community mental health, digital health, government and local councils. Participants of interest were RNs, nurse leaders, nurses holding registration and or regulation under a board of nursing, nurses working in residential aged care and long-term care facilities. [10] It is the governing body’s responsibility to develop this single overarching framework, [10, 11] which reflects the aged care service as well as the specific characteristics and needs of the population it serves. [1] Although there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to clinical governance, [1] the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) suggests six core, interrelated elements to clinical What is Clinical Governance? Clinical governance in aged care ensures that everyone involved in providing care - whether on the floor or in leadership - is accountable for safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Clinical governance describes the leadership behaviours, policies, procedures, responsibilities, relationships, planning, monitoring and improvement mechanisms that facilitate safe, quality clinical care and good clinical outcomes for each consumer. This provides a perfect vehicle for managers to drive professional development initiatives across their workforce to raise the clinical bar. It intertwines seven pivotal pillars, including clinical effectiveness, risk management CLINICAL GOVERNANCE Clinical governance supports aged care organisations to deliver high-quality care and services to achieve good health and wellbeing outcomes through positive care experiences. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. [1] Although there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to clinical governance, [1] the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) suggests six core, interrelated elements to clinical CLINICAL GOVERNANCE systems Clinical governance supports aged care organisations to deliver high-quality care so that those receiving care achieve good health and care outcomes. Clinical governance is a way of thinking about clinical quality and safety across all aspects of the operations of an aged care service. Aged care services providing clinical care must use a clinical governance framework. This presentation by Dr Melanie Tan provides an overview with some 'easy to understand' definitions of how clinical governance pertains to providing care in aged care settings. This means establishing excellence in care as one of the foundational goals of all staf, as part of the organisation’s corporate governance, since any care (including non Clinical governance is described by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (2019) as “an integrated set of leadership behaviours, policies, procedures, responsibilities, relationships, planning, monitoring and improvement mechanisms that are implemented to support safe, quality clinical care and good clinical outcomes for each consumer” The Aged Care sector is undergoing significant changes; from strengthened regulations, to the new Aged Care Act and ongoing workforce challenges. How can clinical governance be effectively imple-mented when facts, and evidence relating to those facts, keep changing? Only rarely can risk be eliminated, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) recognises that safety and quality have multiple influ-ences in clinical care. Provider resources We've 6 days ago · Effective clinical governance leadership is the cornerstone of delivering safe, high-quality care in agedcare settings. Sep 16, 2025 · Clinical governance is a cornerstone of safe, high-quality care in all healthcare settings, and its importance is amplified in aged care. Jun 12, 2025 · Director, Clinical Unit, Chief Clinical Advisory, ACQSC Nicole is a Registered Nurse with over 19 years of experience in acute care, including oncology, haematology, and palliative care. Nov 1, 2020 · What is the interplay of risk, regulation and duty of care in aged care within a constantly changing and dynamic risk environment? These factors must diverge in a single and clear framework for clinical governance, but there is no “one size fits all”. It addresses key issues, proposes strategic changes, and offers recommendations to improve care quality. The individual factsheets are provided as separate resources in this collection. Intent of Standard 5 The Clinical Care Standard describes the responsibilities of providers to deliver safe and quality clinical care services to older people. [1] Although there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to clinical governance in the aged care setting, [1] the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) suggests six core, interrelated elements to clinical governance which together Aug 1, 2019 · With older people entering residential aged care at older ages and with increased fragility, clinical governance - as distinct from governance of resident 'care' - is a critical element in ensuring the health of residents. Overview Effective clinical governance leadership is the cornerstone of delivering safe, high-quality care in aged care settings. An Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission webpage, providing a tookit of resources concerning clinical governance in aged care. Raising your awareness of sound governance principles and practices and how these should be applied, adhered to, and evaluated when caring for older people. [2] Positive leadership ensures that relationships and responsibilities are established between Beyond compliance - supporting clinical governance Research clinical governance and effective quality systems, and discuss this in light of Victorian health services that operate PSRACS The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is committed to supporting the aged care sector to be ready for the implementation of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. This The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission supports aged care providers to develop quality clinical care and good outcomes. ional governance framework a What is clinical governance? In aged care this includes the systems and processes to ensure consumers receive personal, coordinated, efective and safe care and services (clinical/care governance). The strengthened Quality Standards offer an opportunity to align governance structures with the needs of older people and regulators' expectations. Understand critical governance shifts, board responsibilities, and compliance strategies for providers by July 2025. Inclusion criteria: This review considered qualitative research papers that addressed the experiences of RNs as clinical leaders and managers in residential aged care facilities. This workshop is designed to provide you with practical help on how to achieve clinical governance without complexity, resulting in a system which is simple and effective to implement. Registered providers must Jun 12, 2025 · Director, Clinical Unit, Chief Clinical Advisory, ACQSC Nicole is a Registered Nurse with over 19 years of experience in acute care, including oncology, haematology, and palliative care. Clinical governance supports aged care organisations to deliver high-quality care so that those receiving care achieve good health and care outcomes. Theme Clinical governance supports aged care organisations to deliver high-quality care and services to achieve good health and wellbeing outcomes through positive care experiences. This webpage provides information about what clinical governance in aged care is, how it is implemented, and how AgeWorks can help with the main issues with clinical governance in aged care. The Act creates a unified framework designed to improve the quality and safety of aged care services. Dec 3, 2024 · Join experienced aged care expert and executive, Adjunct Professor Alan Lilly, and gain a deeper understanding of how clinical governance works in aged care and related sectors. Providers must now navigate new compliance requirements, including strengthened clinical governance obligations and a shift to a risk-based May 15, 2025 · Under the new Act, registered providers will need to meet certain governance obligations. In addition to our self-assessment for the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, we also have a separate self-assessment relating to Clinical Governance in Aged Care. 1 Clinical governance also applies to providers registered in Category 4 that provide care management or restorative care management services. An article by Breaking New Ground, discussing Aged Care Quality Standard 8 - Organisational Governance - in terms of the roles and responsibilities of governing bodies, senior executives, operational managers, health practitioners, and consumers. It does this through: leadership behaviours policies procedures responsibilities relationships planning, monitoring and improvement mechanisms. Under the new Act, a new regulatory model and changes to the Aged Care Quality Standards, feedback and complaints processes, and system governance will affect how the department and commission oversee and manage the aged care system. As such it influences an organisation’s culture; how it is led and managed; workforce profile and skillset; systems, policies and procedures; the built environment and other infrastructure. Strong governance is a legal responsibility. May 30, 2023 · This report analyzes clinical governance in aged care. It's a structured framework that ensures our healthcare services are accountable, transparent, and continuously evolving to provide the highest standard of care to our patients. What is clinical governance? All aged care organisations have a commitment to provide safe, quality care that protects and promotes the person-centred health and wellbeing of their care recipients. This course provides a deep dive into the principles, systems and The Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program supports governing body members, leaders and emerging leaders to strengthen corporate and clinical governance capabilities and enact critical reform. [1] Although there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to clinical governance, [1] the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) suggests six core, interrelated elements to clinical governance which Roles and responsibilities for clinical governance Everyone working in an aged care service, including members of governing bodies 3 such as boards, senior executives, managers, health practitioners, personal care staff and other staff who have an indirect role in providing care or services, is accountable for their contribution to clinical quality and safety. 2 Regulatory obligations and a common law duty of care operate in tandem to require that reasonable steps Jun 30, 2023 · Clinical governance requires the analysis of a range of quality indicator data – in aged care, this encompasses falls, infections, wounds and continence interventions to name a few. Clinical governance supports safe, quality clinical care and good outcomes. Residential aged care is deliv-ered to older people in Australia by service providers who are approved under the Aged Care Act 1997. Why are leadership and culture important to clinical governance? Clinical governance is integral to organisational governance. Clinical governance framework guide This guide is part of a series of resources about clinical governance in aged care that aim to help aged care providers meet their responsibilities for ensuring the quality and safety of clinical care. What is Clinical Governance? Clinical governance in aged care ensures that everyone involved in providing care - whether on the floor or in leadership - is accountable for safety, quality, and continuous improvement. The tool is available for download In collaboration with the Department of Health and the PSRACS Leadership Committee, the VHA refreshed the clinical governance checklist and decision-making tool with the aim of assisting boards to strengthen their Discover how AICG supports aged care providers in implementing effective clinical governance. Jun 1, 2018 · Governance in practice: Corporate and clinical governance update for health and aged care providers Author: Alison Choy Flannigan Jul 1, 2025 · Prepare for Australia's Aged Care Act 2024. Q1. In a 2022 survey conducted by ARIIA, the Australian aged care workforce identified clinical governance as a priority topic for the sector. 1 of the Revised Aged Care Quality Standards). Whilst we have observed some improvements across the sector, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s recent performance data highlights regular non-compliance across Standard 8 of the current Aged Care Developing and implementing a clinical governance framework This is part of a series of resources about clinical governance in aged care that aim to help aged care providers meet their responsibilities for ensuring the quality and safety of clinical care. This follows the Aged Care Quality Standards (Standard 8, 3e). But what is it, or what should it be, in daily practice in residential aged Q1. ional governance framework a What is clinical governance? Jun 13, 2025 · As aged care continues its reform journey, clinical governance will remain a cornerstone of safe, respectful, and responsive care. Jun 9, 2021 · Why is clinical governance important when caring for older people in health and care settings. For the past seven years, she has worked as a clinician within the Chief Clinical Advisory Division at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC). Improving access to vaccination records in aged care National Palliative Care Week – The essentials Poor COVID-19 vaccination rates in aged care Falls Awareness month New report finds older Australians given more antimicrobials than wider community Impact of COVID-19 subvariants Summer clinical alert: Caring for older people in hot weather This page provides an overview of the provider governance obligations and links to tools and guidance to help you understand what is required so you meet them. It includes: definitions and principles of good governance provider governance obligations how we collect provider governance information how we respond to provider governance risks. In an increasingly complex regulatory environment— guided by the Aged Care Quality Standards —leaders must not only understand governance frameworks but also translate them into everyday practice. What is Clinical Governance? Sample Answer: Clinical Governance, to me, is the heartbeat of exemplary healthcare delivery. Standard 5 applies to Australian Government-funded aged care providers registered in: Category 5 – nursing and transition care Category 6 – residential care (including respite). It encompasses the systems and processes that support the delivery of clinical care, including risk management, quality improvement, and staff training. Resources mostly focused on what optimal clinical governance might look like accompanied by recommendations for how it might be achieved. At AICG, we define clinical governance as: A commitment to creating an environment where I take responsibility for continually making care better and safer for our community. Rather, we suggest governance for quality aged care requires a reset. Apr 30, 2025 · The Australian aged care sector is undergoing significant regulatory change with the introduction of the new Act which replaces multiple existing laws. As a key component of the Aged Care Quality Standards, its important that the board and executive have a shared understanding of their roles and responsibilities to increase oversight and accountability. Recognising, responding, and knowing how to escalate care concerns for both patients and staff. Strong clinical governance is crucial for ensuring that aged care facilities provide safe, effective, and high-quality care. The diversity and use of The refreshed clinical governance board reporting tool for Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services has launched to support high-quality care. In light of these transformative measures, the Public Sector Network presents this Masterclass. Jul 9, 2019 · The Aged Care Quality Standards require aged care services that provide clinical care to demonstrate the use of a clinical governance framework (Standard 8, 3 (e)). CLINICAL GOVERNANCE reporting Clinical governance supports aged care organisations to deliver high-quality care and services to achieve good health and wellbeing outcomes through positive care experiences. Aged Care & Home Care Principal, Russell Kennedy Lawyers Anita helps aged care providers in the home and residential care space by advising them on issues that keep them and their clients safe, helping meet their legal compliance requirements and working with them to resolve complaints and disputes in positive, effective ways. Effective clinical governance positively impacts aged care by enhancing care quality, reducing risks, and fostering a CLINICAL workforce GOVERNANCE Clinical governance supports aged care organisations to deliver high-quality care and services to achieve good health and wellbeing outcomes through positive care experiences. Mar 16, 2020 · The additional scrutiny on aged care as a result of COVID-19 draws particular attention to issues such as infection control and workforce management. It requires health service organisations to implement systems for procuring, prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring medicines. The governing body has overall responsibility to ensure a clinical governance framework is implemented and to monitor its effectiveness in supporting aged care workers to deliver quality clinical care services. Developed especially for aged care leaders and practitioners, this workshop will cover the importance of clinical governance in the efective operation of Introduction to clinical governance This is the first in a series of fact sheets about clinical governance in aged care that aim to help aged care providers meet their responsibilities for ensuring the quality and safety of clinical care. The recent establishment of an Australian Royal Commission into the Quality of Residential and Aged Care Services highlights the In this blog, Catherine Scott of Sundale Inc. [1] The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) suggests there are six core, interrelated elements to clinical governance which together promote optimal health and wellbeing outcomes for people receiving aged Oct 1, 2020 · Effective clinical governance is critical to the delivery of safe and high quality care for aged care consumers. . This resource links to a number of fact sheets, guides and breakdowns informing on clinical governance in aged care. It also aims to promote best practice in service provision. Jul 25, 2023 · What does ‘clinical governance’ mean in the context of home care? How is it relevant? This blog by Dr Melanie Tan explores the concept in parallel with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, and explains the imperative for all home care providers to embed clinical governance, whether or not they provide clinical care. Resources Aged Care Quality Standards require providers to demonstrate the implementation of an effective clinical governance framework. Providers operationalise Jan 1, 2025 · This framework provides a consistent national approach to clinical governance in healthcare, focusing on governance structures, leadership, culture, safety and quality improvement systems, clinical performance, care environment, and consumer partnerships. [1] Although there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to clinical governance, [1] the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) suggests six core, interrelated elements to clinical governance which together Jan 1, 2024 · This resource outlines clinical governance and quality improvement systems to support safe medication management. Join the thousands of leaders who have committed to governing for reform! Introduction: Governing for quality aged care The recent legislative changes1 in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety have ushered in a new era for directors in aged care. 33w3gis znz spfca lw9rrnd nlgfl hscr oh ehj7 gh6h9t ld5