The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is to be strengthened with increased funding, extra staff members and a wide transformation program following the sweeping findings of a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The final report from the Royal Commission makes 148 recommendations, delivering what Prime Minister, Scott Morrison says is a challenging, but achievable road to reform.
Mr Morrison said community confidence and the trust of senior Australians and their families would be bolstered by changes bringing about transparency, accountability and oversight into the aged care sector.
“Our Government is strengthening the arm of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission by appointing an Assistant Commissioner for Sector Capability with responsibility for leading a transformative change program,” Mr Morrison said.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said work would begin immediately on replacing the Aged Care Act 1997, providing a strong, fresh foundation to enable reforms to be implemented and driving a cultural change with the focus on responding to the needs of senior Australians.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson (pictured) said she welcomed the report which set out evidence, findings and recommendations from 28 months of careful examination of the aged care system.
“It is a very substantial body of work which brings the shortcomings of the sector into clear focus and deserves close attention,” Ms Anderson said.
She said the report painted a vivid picture of an Australian aged care system that, by focusing on meeting individual needs, would regain the community’s trust and confidence.
“Reform is already under way in a number of areas identified for attention by the Royal Commission, notably the commencement of the Serious Incident Response Scheme from 1 April,” Ms Anderson said.
She said the initial reform package included $32 million over four years for the Commission to use to strengthen provider quality and rebuild community confidence in the aged care system.
“All staff in the Commission share a strong commitment to ensuring that older Australians receiving aged care are safe, well looked after, and have a good quality of life,” Ms Anderson said.
“If anyone has a concern about an aged care service, complaints can be made via the Commission’s website, www.agedcarequality.gov.au.”
Mr Morrison thanked the Royal Commissioners, Tony Pagone and former Australian Public Service Commissioner, Lynelle Briggs.
The full Royal Commission’s five-volume report can be accessed at this PS News link and a 115-page executive summary at this link.
