Action Area 5.5: Continue to build and encourage partnerships between the federal Government, state Governments, LGBTI communities and the aged care sector, including Home and Community Care (HACC) and related agencies As detailed in Action Areas 3.7, 5.3 and 5.4, the Government has taken a number of steps to encourage partnerships between LGBTI communities, the Government and the aged care sector. Additionally, all state and territory HACC programs have been or are now scheduled to be incorporated into the CHSP. Two members of the LGBTI Working Group are also represented on the CHSP Advisory Group. Action Area 5.6: Develop a communication plan to promote awareness of the LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy through existing communication channels among all stakeholders, including the National Aged Care Alliance, other ageing and aged care peak organisations, and other Commonwealth agencies and levels of government A communications plan for the LGBTI Strategy was not developed until June 2016 (only 12 months prior to the conclusion of the Strategy). As a result, the department has not been able to fully implement the communications plan. Communications achievements over the life of the Strategy are detailed below. When the LGBTI Strategy was initially launched in December 2012, it was promoted via: Ministerial media release Notification of around 13,000 aged care services and stakeholders through the BIDS communications system Publication on the department’s website Electronic distribution to Commonwealth MPs Distribution of hard copies to key stakeholders, secretaries of Government departments and all senior officers within the department’s aged care stream. Since November 2016, the BIDS communication system has been used several times to communicate with aged care services and stakeholders to promote awareness of the LGBTI Strategy and related initiatives. These communications include: A message reminding stakeholders of the Strategy and promoting the LGBTI sensitivity training. This message prompted over 329 inquiries to the department either about the strategy, the training or both (November 2016) Promotion of the four LGBTI-specific CVS providers (February 2017) Promotion of the LGBTI Resource Library (April 2017) Promotion of the review of the Strategy. The review was also promoted via Ministerial media release, the department’s Twitter feed and through the LGBTI Working Group members’ organisations and networks (March 2017).
standards and accreditation processes could help to lift the ‘poor performers’ in the aged care sector. Collaboration between sectors While stakeholders reported much greater collaboration between the aged care sector and LGBTI organisations (facilitated and supported by the LGBTI Strategy), they also felt that further improvement in this area would strengthen the aged care sector’s ability to provide appropriate and inclusive care. ‘Non-LGBTI-specific services and agencies that develop LGBTI resources need to have better engagement with LGBTI consumers and organisations to ensure their inclusive practice materials are up-to-date and reflect current language, practices and understanding’ – consumer peak body. It was also noted that (particularly smaller and rural/regional) organisations (in both the aged care and LGBTI sectors) sometimes struggled to resource the collaborations required to deliver inclusive care (see also section 5.3.11 below). The intersection between the aged care and health sectors was also mentioned, with at least one stakeholder noting that the health sector has not yet undertaken the same level of work around inclusiveness as the aged care sector. Research, data and monitoring Stakeholders noted that a lack of data regarding numbers of LGBTI aged care consumers (often due to a perceived lack of safety that inhibits disclosure – see section 5.3.2) means it is difficult to assess levels of need or access to services for LGBTI people. While multidisciplinary research was noted to foster innovation, and be ‘good for promoting best practice’ (aged care provider), a number of stakeholders felt that more could be done – both in terms of more research and better translation of research into practice. One suggested that the use of client narratives, as well as other forms of data and evidence, could help to promote and support improvements in inclusive care. In particular, many stakeholders felt that data collection, evaluation and reporting has been a key element missing from the implementation of the LGBTI Strategy, as the initial commitment to annual reporting was replaced with this end of implementation review. Resourcing/funding A number of stakeholders spoke of the need to ‘maintain the momentum’ gained through the (particularly more recent) years of the LGBTI Strategy.
Attendance Members will be expected to attend all Working Group meetings and be available for any teleconferences that may be required. In the event a member is unavailable for a meeting, a proxy representative from the organisation will be able to participate on their behalf (following prior approval by the department). If members are to be accompanied by additional organisational staff, prior approval will need to be sought from the department. Non-members will only be able to participate as observers. Financial Support Members will not be remunerated for their participation in the Working Group. However, the department will cover the travel costs for the member (or their proxy) to attend each meeting. This will include flights, accommodation (where required) and reimbursement of taxi fares. If a proxy is attending, these same conditions will apply. Travel costs will not be paid to any additional organisational staff approved to attend the meeting. Secretariat The Working Group secretariat for meetings will be provided by the department and will: prepare and distribute meeting agendas and related papers, preferably at least five business days ahead of the scheduled meeting; record minutes and actions items and circulate to members post-meeting; and coordinate travel arrangements for all members. Confidentiality Confidentiality is covered by the department’s Deed Poll of Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest’ and documents will be marked confidential if not to be circulated. Working Group members Name Organisation Details Chair DOH Group Manager Ageing and Aged Care Services Vice Chair DOH Branch Manager Ageing and Sector Support