Home care recipients now to be assessed by new independent panel

The Federal government has named 13 organisations to be given the responsibility to assess the level of home care support to be provided to new clients.
Titled the regional assessment services (RAS), they will coordinate face-to-face assessments with people who need support to remain living at home independently.
The initial screening will be done by the health direct call centre who will then refer them to an RAS service provider, who are independent from the provision of home care services.
The new Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) has a budget of $1.7 billion.
The 13 organisations are:
• Access Care Network Australia
• Australian Regional and Remote Community Services
• Care Assessment Consultants
• Catholic Healthcare
• Community Options Australia
• Feros Care
• Health Administration Corporation (HAC)
• Partners 4 Health
• Resthaven
• Serendipity
• Suncare Community Services
• The Uniting Church
• UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide.