Year: 2019

Categories
Media Release

Notre Dame fire to spark vital conversations

Paris, France, the 19th April 2022, The spire of Notre Dame de Paris falling during a Parisian sunset.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM INSURANCE BUSINESS NEWS

Earlier this month, the world watched in disbelief as one of Europe’s most treasured landmarks went up in flames – but while the Notre Dame fire was a devastating tragedy, one industry expert says it will also help spark some vital conversations around the risk management of historic buildings.

Warren Hutcheon is the CEO of Ansvar – a risk management and insurance solutions provider which specialises in both the heritage and faith sectors, among others. He says disasters such as the recent Notre Dame fire often prompt owners to reconsider their own risk management strategies.

“Events of this nature do raise awareness with people, and while the events themselves certainly aren’t a good thing, the increased awareness is,” says Hutcheon. “When that awareness has been increased, people start asking questions around whether or not they have sufficient insurance and, more importantly, if they have appropriate risk management in place.”

While nobody – including Hutcheon – wants to capitalise on disaster, major loss events such as the Notre Dame fire do leave clients feeling uncertain and thereby serve as the perfect opportunity for brokers to discuss the development of stronger risk management strategies.

“It’s a good opening for conversations around when they last checked the electricals, when they last performed maintenance on the roof, whether they have the right security in place – everything that’s needed to prevent such an event happening to them,” says Hutcheon.

While prevention methods can be costly, Hutcheon says certain measures should be considered part and parcel of operating a historic or heritage building.

“Society should be thinking about how some of our important buildings need to be carefully protected and well-maintained,” he tells Insurance Business.

“That does require an investment, some of these buildings are very expensive to maintain because of their very nature, but if we don’t do it and we lose them, we’ll never get them back,” he continues.

“So this really is an opportunity for brokers to be talking to their clients around their risk management practices but it’s also an opportunity to discuss the benefits of getting an accurate and up-to-date valuation of the property and its contents.”

Already, more than a billion euros has been pledged to the Notre Dame rebuild efforts and yet it’s thought the final bill will still exceed that figure – this worrying revelation, Hutcheon says, is a good reason for owners of historic or heritage buildings to carry out accurate valuations.

“If you think about some of the historic buildings around Australia, the first thing we want to do is prevent anything happening to them because they’re very difficult to replace – but if something does happen, we want to make sure the client is adequately covered so it can be replaced,” he says.

Much media attention has also been directed at the fate of many historical artefacts within the Notre Dame – including the crown of thorns and the tunic of Saint Louis – which should also prompt brokers to discuss contents with their clients.

“Owners should be asking themselves when they last considered the value of the building but also when they last considered the value of the artefacts and all the important artworks that are inside the building – when did they last do an inventory on that?” he says.

“Those are the types of things that hopefully committees and owners will now be having conversations around – that’s probably the only positive thing that comes from events like these.”

Categories
Community Education Program

Ansvar grant to help Doncare deliver violence presentation program

Doncare logo

Specialist Insurer Ansvar has given $25,000 to Doncare’s “iMatter” Program which is responsible for teaching young people to have an active role in preventing violence and inequality in their communities.

The donation is part of Ansvar’s $250,000 national Community Education Program (CEP) grants to 10 not-for-profit organisations across Australia in 2018/19.

Doncare CEO Doreen Stoves said the Ansvar grant would help fund a program co-ordinator who is responsible for recruiting, training and supervising young volunteers aged 18-25 who take the anti-violence message into schools, and sporting and community groups.

“We believe the young people who participate in our workshops will play a significant role in shifting attitudes in our community – away from domestic violence and inequality, and towards healthy and respectful relationships,” Ms Stoves said.

Ansvar CEO Warren Hutcheon said: “We are very proud of our CEP Grant Program and inspired by the phenomenal work that this year’s ten recipients do to better the lives of Australia’s young people. Funding for non-profit organisations is more of a challenge every year, and Ansvar looks forward to watching these amazing organisations make a positive impact in so many people’s lives.”

Every year Ansvar receives more than 250 applications for grants of up to $50,000. The money goes to organisations that provide education, skills training and other programs helping vulnerable youth.

A review panel assess applications in October each year.
Go to www.ansvar.com.au/community-education-program/2018-2019-cep-grant-recipients for information about CEP.

Below is a Thank You video from Doncare’s CEO, Doreen Stoves.

Categories
Community Education Program

Ansvar announces $250,000 Community Education Program Grant Recipients

Hero Community Education Program image to represent the Australian youth participating in the grants program

Specialist Insurer Ansvar today announced the 10 community organisations that will share $250,000 in funding that is provided to specifically assist vulnerable and disadvantaged young Australians.

The donation is provided from Ansvar’s national $250,000 Community Education Program (CEP) for 2018/ 2019. This the 25th year anniversary of the grants program.

The 2019 recipients are:

1) Cerebral Palsy Alliance NSW
2) Earbus Foundation WA
3) The Sammy D Foundation SA
4) The Pyjama Foundation NSW
5) Doncare VIC
6) Enough is Enough Family Violence Care NSW
7) Nulsen Disability Services WA
8) Red Frogs QLD
9) Melbourne Anglican Benevolent Society VIC
10) Sunshine Butterflies QLD

Each of these organisations will receive a grant of between $10,000 and $50,000.

CEP Recipients Winners Banner

Ansvar CEO Warren Hutcheon said: “We are very proud of our Community Education Program and inspired by the phenomenal work that this year’s 10 recipients do to better the lives of Australia’s young people. Funding for non-profit organisations becomes more and more of a challenge every year, and Ansvar looks forward to watching these amazing organisations make a positive impact in so many people’s lives.”

Ansvar Australia is a specialist insurer providing cover and risk management services to the faith, community, care, heritage and education sectors.

Every year Ansvar receives more than 250 applications for grants of up to $50,000. The money goes to organisations that provide education, skills training and other programs helping vulnerable youth.

 

A review panel assess applications in October each year.
Go to www.ansvar.com.au/community-education-program for information about CEP. For program details on our successful recipients click here.

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About Ansvar
Ansvar is a leading specialist provider of insurance and risk management services to faith, community, care, heritage and education sectors in Australia. Ansvar partners with brokers to deliver its services under Ansvar Insurance, Ansvar Risk and Ansvar Personal.

Categories
Aged Care

Major Shake-Up in Serious Incident Response for Aged Care Sector

NEWS RELEASE

Aged Care serious incident reporting to change: Roles and implications for Insurance and Risk

 

A Federal Government commissioned report by KPMG has recommended wide-ranging changes to improve serious incident responses in the aged care sector.

The KPMG report recommends broader definitions of reportable conduct by staff to residents including physical, sexual or financial abuse, and seriously inappropriate, improper, inhumane or cruel treatment and neglect.

Continue reading “Major Shake-Up in Serious Incident Response for Aged Care Sector”
Categories
Aged Care

Hearing 1 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

NEWS RELEASE
Hearing 1 Weeks of February 11 and 18

 

Ansvar Risk’s Senior Risk Consultant Anthony Black summarises the hearing so far:

“The overriding objective of this first two weeks was to obtain perspectives on the aged care system as it currently exists”, Anthony reports.

Specifically, Hearing 1 inquired into:
a) the concerns of advocacy bodies relating to the current state of the aged care system
b) the clinical issues affecting elderly people and general challenges that arise in meeting clinical needs
c) the concerns and view of medical and nursing professional bodies relating to the current state of the aged care system
d) demographic information relating to the provision of aged care services
e) the perspectives of government and regulators as to the state of the aged care system
f) the perspectives of workforce representative bodies as to the state of the aged care system
g) experiences of people receiving services in the aged care system or their family members

Giving Evidence
Witnesses included:
– The Sprigg Family, whose relative died at the Oakden Facility, sparking a parliamentary enquiry;
– Representatives of aged care bodies;
– Health professional representative bodies;
– Associations for specialist needs and care (such as dementia);
– Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health Glenys Beauchamp;
– New Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson

 

Poor provider response
Only 900 of the approximate 2000 providers responded to the Commission’s invitation to Providers to submit responses to specific questions regarding substandard care in their organisations and to obtain views on quality improvements. Of the top 100 funded providers, 79 submitted.

“I am surprised by the low submission rate; not submitting could draw attention to providers, particularly large providers. It’s also important to note that the Commission does not propose to publish the information provided, though it may publish aggregated data,” Anthony notes.

 

Key themes emerged:
1) Funding – The system of funding received significant criticism. The relative value of the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) was debated rigorously and points were raised regarding processes and techniques employed by Providers to “maximise the ACFI”; suggesting the funding approach was not in fact supporting a true understanding of the cost of care. The financial sustainability of providers was also a key topic, with evidence that almost half of providers recorded a deficit budget at last financial year. Liquidity strain is also a strong feature and rising risk.

2) Abuse and Safe Care – Evidence from the Department showed over 3,700 assaults reported last financial year. A reportable assault is where there’s an allegation or suspicions of what is generally known as an assault — physical, mental assaults on either residents or staff. It heard a report that was commissioned by the department after the Oakden scandal recommended that the obligation to report assaults be broadened by introducing a “serious incident response scheme”. This is currently not in place and reporting of assaults is highly dependent on individual providers’ reporting culture and actions or through independent audits. Discussions will continue on this topic, with extensive interest in the overuse of physical and chemical restraints to also feature strongly. Physical restraints include binding a resident to a bed or chair, so they cannot move, while chemical restraints include the use of psychotropic medication such as sedatives. The commission was told that about 80 per cent of older Australians in residential care with dementia were on at least one psychotropic drug

3) Staffing – Several witnesses relayed experiences of broad ranging workforce issues; unqualified staff, low staff numbers, poor access to specialist care advice, poor access to GPs and wide variation in GP aged care skill sets, lack of standardised training and continued discussion on rations. Much more to come in this space.

4) Dementia – This is and will remain a key element of this Royal Commission in terms of its prevalence, its management and the system’s response to this significant health issue. The Commissioners took evidence from a number of key sources on dementia to gather insights to further prosecute the handling of dementia care, resourcing, training and societal attitude.

“I have no doubt these 4 themes will thread throughout the remaining Commission hearings and form substantial components of the end delivery recommendations,” Anthony says.

 

Future Hearings in 2019
The Royal Commission will conduct hearings in all capital cities and a number of regional locations. The Commission anticipates hearings will take place in the weeks commencing:
18 March, 6 May, 13 May, 17 June, 24 June, 8 July, 15 July, 29 July, 5 August, 9 September, 8 October, 14 October, 4 November, 11 November and 9 December 2019.
The location of each hearing will be announced progressively as arrangements are finalised.

Future topics include:
– Person Centred Care (complex care, mental health, nutrition, choice, end of life care, family inclusion)
– Loneliness and Respect
– Quality and Safety systems and Regulatory Framework
– Access and Navigation (including accommodation bonds, transitions between care types, service interfaces, home care)
– Remote and Regional Care (demographics, workforce, sustainability)

 

Royal Commission to hold first community forums
In addition to submissions and hearings, the Commission will undertake a series of community forums, round table meetings with experts, and site visits.
Community forums will be held metropolitan and regional locations.

The first community forums will be held in
– Bankstown in Sydney on Friday 1 March 2019 and
– Bendigo in Victoria on Tuesday 5 March 2019
Commissioner Lynelle Briggs AO will be present at both.

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Providers – what you need to know

Governance Issues in Aged Care – Risk and Insurance considerations.

Anthony Black says: “My work with the sector, broker networks and directly with Board Directors, CEOs and Senior Management over the last 6 months, has highlighted specific governance and risk management issues that should be front of mind for our teams working and supporting this industry:

1) Board Director skill sets need review; capabilities of Directors for governing for vulnerable people are highly variable and leading to governance exposures to meet community expectations and the new Aged Care Standards requirements.

2) Clinical Governance needs an overhaul in Aged Care; the framework, systems and provision of coordinated care for complex and specialist needs have not kept pace with the changing context and profile of aged care recipients.

3) Dignity of Risk (how organisations support individuals’ independence and self-determination, including taking risks) needs greater focus by Boards and Executives, not assumed to be adequately managed by staff. This is a complex cultural shift required by new standards and driven through heightened expectations of consumers that risk is balanced between their rights, needs and desires and the organisation’s responsibilities.

4) Liquidity management strategies require greater oversight and assessment; they may be providing a false sense of financial security

5) Uncertainty regarding the TOR (Terms of Reference) for a Royal Commission related to Disability in Australia and its relationship to provision of services to older people, adds an additional layer of complexity for the sector.

6) Governance and Risk Frameworks are NOT keeping pace with change; many organisations have not reviewed frameworks or assessed their maturity despite enormous changes in sector and organisational contexts.

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These are challenging times. Hope is not a strategy. Good frameworks for good governance are more important than ever for our customers.

The Ansvar Risk Consultants are here to help – we understand the sector, and we have a range of resources and tools to assist you in preparing for the Royal Commission.

Please contact us to discuss reviewing and strengthening your risk management
Anthony Black
0402 239 149
ablack@ansvarrisk.com.au

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Ansvar Insurance Limited ABN 21 007 216 506, AFSL 237806. This information is general advice only and does not take into account your individual circumstances.  Before making any decisions, please consider the appropriateness of this advice to your own objectives, financial situation or other needs.

Categories
Safeguarding

Ansvar extending National Broker Forum roadshow to Toowoomba QLD

Close-up Of Wooden Blocks With Risk Word In Front Of Businessperson's Hand Holding Magnifying Glass
Close-up Of Wooden Blocks With Risk Word In Front Of Businessperson's Hand Holding Magnifying Glass

Topic: Protecting Vulnerable People in the Changing Risk and Governance Landscape

The FREE half-day forum is designed to help brokers identify today’s set of risks and how to deal with them to strengthen governance. Brokers play an important role in assisting clients with their journey in risk management.

Ansvar’s national broker education forum “Protecting Vulnerable People” has been hosted in every state in Australia since July last year. In March we are revisiting QLD to host the forum in Toowoomba on Wednesday 13th March in the City Golf Club at 8:30am – 12:30pm and attendees will also earn 3 CIP points.

We really encourage you to attend as you will learn, from Ansvar Risk experts, how you can support your clients by helping them strengthen their risk management, particularly with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The forum has provided enormous insight for brokers and clients as insurance moves from simple “risk transfer” to “greater risk awareness”. They proved a great industry drawcard, with over 300 attendees, and had overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Ansvar’s risk management expert and key forum speaker Anthony Black pulls no punches when he describes the threats confronting the specialised sectors, many which provide essential services to vulnerable people in the new world of demographic changes, chronic diseases, increasing regulation, cyber environment and institutional governance failure.

Cassandra Heilbronn, Senior Associate at MinterEllison, who attended the Melbourne forum said it was “one of the best insurance events I have attended from a content perspective.”

Some more positive feedback we received:

– “This was by far the BEST Ansvar presentation/forum I have ever attended. All the speakers were of quality nature and topics were relevant, clear and concise. It is clear a lot of prep work went into this forum, well done team!”

– “Fantastic forum ….it was great to learn more about how governance and risk management can be enhanced and see first-hand some of the valuable risk tools and services you can offer!”

– “Excellent event – sufficient time, good networking and presenters were informative and entertaining”

Please note you must register for our Toowoomba Broker Forum before Monday 11th March (registration has now closed).

– Topic: Protecting Vulnerable People in the changing Risk and Governance Landscape
– Date: Wednesday 13th March
– Venue: Toowoomba City Golf Club www.citygolf.com.au
– Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm (includes light breakfast prior and lunch post forum)
– Food: Light breakfast, morning tea and lunch will be provided
– CIP Points: Attendees will earn 3 CIP points
– Register: Please register your attendance here before Monday 11th March

Register for our Toowoomba Broker Forum

Categories
Aged Care

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety gets Underway

NEWS RELEASE
Hearings commence 11 February 2019

 

Anthony Black, Senior Risk Consultant, Ansvar Risk returned from a preliminary hearing in Adelaide to give Ansvar clients this exclusive preview:

1) More than 5,000 submissions will form part of the evidence
2) Last count, 84 Aged Care providers had submitted responses
3) Commissioner Lynelle Briggs noted: “It is our hope providers will assist whenever called for information and contributions. No response brings attention to providers and their practices”
4) Employers are warned that they should not prevent employees participating in anyway with the Royal Commission. Deterrence many lead to an offence

Commissioners regard the Royal Commission as a “Once in a lifetime opportunity to come together as a Nation to review how we care for older people”.

The Royal Commissioners: Richard Tracey QC and Lynelle Briggs AO
Report Timeframes Confirmed: 31/10/19 (interim) 30/04/20 (final)

“A rising torrent of concerns”
While thousands contribute to excellent care every day, the Commissioners noted rising concerns regarding failings of care and a system that is no longer fit for purpose. It is the Commissioners’ intentions to “give voice to those who have experiences to share”.

The Royal Commission will use its powers to examine the progress and effectiveness of the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission throughout its first year in operation.

First Hearings
The first public hearing will commence week February 11, in Adelaide.
The Royal Commission has determined hearings will have the following themes:

1) Overview of the System (including young people in residential care, access and inclusion and dementia care)
2) Person Centred Care (complex care, mental health, nutrition, choice, end of life care, family inclusion)
3) Loneliness and Respect
4) Quality and Safety systems and Regulatory Framework
5) Access and Navigation (including accommodation bonds, transitions between care types, service interfaces, home care)
6) Remote and Regional Care (demographics, workforce, sustainability)

All public documents, practice guidelines for hearings and other information is available on the Royal Commission website: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

Providers can be called to give evidence
Providers may be called before the Royal Commission to provide evidence at the direction of the Commissioners or by Special Counsel Assisting. For the first time in a Royal Commission in Australia, the Commissioners also have power to obtain statements in writing. Particular themes will guide hearings. Public Hearings will take place in each State as well as some regional centres.

The Royal Commission will also hold roundtables, conduct surveys, visit services, meet with advocates and consumers, meet key Departments and conduct Community Consultations.

More than 5,000 Submissions 
The Royal Commission has received more than 5000 submissions from the public regarding experiences relating to the aged care sector. Since then, the Royal Commission invited Aged Care Providers to submit information based on 8 questions by January 7 (top 100 providers) and by February 8 (remaining providers). To date, 84 providers have submitted responses.

What has been learnt from submissions?
Aged Care Providers have submitted the following as key themes of “substandard care”:

1) Elder Abuse
2) Medication management
3) Psychotropic drug use
4) Food safety
5) Not responding to residents calls for care in reasonable time frames
6) Inadequate wound management, leading to death
7) Record keeping and management

Public submissions reveal two major themes:

– Unsafe care practices
– Inadequate staffing numbers and inadequately qualified staff

Commissioner Briggs advised that information provided by Providers will not be individually identified in public; however aggregated data will be produced. Further, the information provided by Providers will be compared to that held by the Regulator for comparison and further inquiry.

Administration and work of the Royal Commission is already in train

– Adelaide based and all Senior Counsels Assisting appointed
– Policy and research framework established to guide recommendations
– Commissioners have made clear that “short response times” will be the norm of the proceedings of the Royal Commission
– Engagement has already commenced with advocacy groups, policy advisors, Australian Bureau of Statistics and research groups

 

Ansvar can offer support to your organisation:
The Ansvar Risk team are experts – we understand the sector, and we have a range of resources and tools to assist you in preparing for the Royal Commission.

Please contact us to discuss reviewing and strengthening your risk management
Anthony Black
0402 239 149
ablack@ansvarrisk.com.au

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Ansvar Insurance Limited ABN 21 007 216 506, AFSL 237806. This information is general advice only and does not take into account your individual circumstances.  Before making any decisions, please consider the appropriateness of this advice to your own objectives, financial situation or other needs.

Categories
Aged Care

Aged Care Providers – Ansvar can help you with the Royal Commission

As proceedings commence with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Approved Providers need to immediately assess what this means for their organisation’s Governance, Risk Management and Insurance.

Ansvar can assist you by:
– Helping you to assess your corporate and clinical governance,
– Helping review and strengthen your risk management, and
– Engaging with your broker around your policy and claims matters including sharing information sourced from our experienced partner networks and our Aged Care Strategy.

Ansvar Risk Senior Risk Consultant Anthony Black (pictured) has this advice:
 “We will ask the questions first – before the Royal Commission asks you!”

Anthony says it is crucial that Boards and Executives review the effectiveness of their Risk Management Framework to strengthen governance.
“You need to ask:
– Do you have a current strategic plan that outlines the direction and objectives of the organisation, including specific reference to resident safety and wellbeing?
– Has the risk management framework and the risk maturity of your organisation been reviewed in the last 12 months and an improvement plan in place?
– Is there a strong enough focus on strategic risks and does Board have line of sight to risks that they must know about?
– Do you have a plan to improve risk communication that involves staff involvement and practical tools and resources?

“We know that the more mature an organisation’s risk framework the more likely it is to make sound decisions, prevent harm, achieve objectives and become more resilient.”

The major risks confronting Aged Care Providers
Anthony recommends that, as a minimum, Approved Providers should have formally assessed risks against their organisational objectives in the following areas:
– Governance and Culture
– Resident Safety
– Workforce
– Financial Sustainability

The Aged Sector is already under pressure.
The announcement of the Royal Commission comes at a time when there is already significant complexity in the sector:
– Establishment of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to centralise accreditation, compliance and complaints handling
– Transition to new Single Aged Care Quality Framework and Standards
– Increasing care requirements and workforce capability gaps.
– Significant pressures on financial performance and sustainability.

Navigating uncertainty and making sound decisions in this context relies on effective governance. 
The Board is ultimately responsible for corporate and clinical governance and must review its capabilities and capacities to respond to its roles and obligations. Central to this should be specific consideration to the effectiveness and maturity of its risk management framework.

 

Ansvar can offer support to your organisation:

The Ansvar risk team are experts – we understand the sector, and we have a range of resources and tools to assist you in preparing for the Royal Commission.

In the coming weeks there will be more specific communications about our strategy and timeframes

Anthony Black
0402 239 149
ablack@ansvarrisk.com.au