EmailHospital Circular 06/2006
Date Issued: 17 July 2006
Publication: 6/2006
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Attention: Public Hospitals, Extended Care Centres, Metropolitan Health Services, and Regional Offices
Subject: Department of Veterans Affairs: Use of Residential Respite following an episode of acute care or convalescence.
On 16 February 2006, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) wrote
to all hospitals to clarify their policy in relation to funding through
the Veterans' Home Care (VHC) program of residential respite stays immediately
following an episode of convalescence or acute care.
DVA policy is that residential respite care is only available in circumstances
where the person receiving the care enters the residential facility from independent
living in his or her own home and that respite care should not be used as a bridge
to permanent care.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs Veterans Home Care respite care provisions have been established in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997 which defines respite care as being care "provided as an alternative care arrangement with the primary purpose of giving a carer or a care recipient a short-term break from their usual care arrangement.” and the Principles made under Section 96-1 and all relevant policy and practice is to be aligned with this Act.
Information on the arrangements for the operation and payment of Australian Government funded residential aged care facilities can be found in the Residential Care Manual, which ispublished by the Department of Health and Ageing pursuant to the Aged Care Act. Section 4.2 of Appendix 1 (which relates to residential respite care) to the Manual states that "respite care admissions are intended to provide alternative care arrangements with the primary purpose of giving carers or care recipients a short-term break from their usual care arrangement. It is not intended to provide transitional care whilst awaiting admission to permanent care, or rehabilitative care following discharge from hospital."
As there is a limit to the amount of respite care DVA will pay for an individual in any financial year it is important that DVA-funded respite care is used for its intended purpose. Residential respite care through the VHC program is provided to allow the usual carer to be relieved of, and have a break from, the caring role. If a veteran or war widow/widower has been in hospital or a convalescent facility then the usual carer has not been fulfilling the caring role and therefore residential respite cannot be approved under the VHC Guidelines.
Where veterans need additional support before they return home from hospital this needs to be carefully considered prior to discharge in consultation with the veteran and their family. DVA can provide support through Convalescent Care, Community Nursing, Veterans’ Home Care and the Rehabilitation Appliances Program.
Please ensure that all relevant staff in your facility are aware that approvals for VHC residential respite care can only be made if the veteran or war widow/widower is entering a facility directly from their own home. To be assessed for residential respite, eligible persons should contact their local VHC assessment agency by telephoning 1300 550 450.
If you have any queries about the content of this letter please contact the Veterans' Home Care section on (03) 9284 6093.
| Lance Wallace Executive Director Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services |
Dr C W Brook Executive Director Rural Health and Aged Care Services |
