The Department of Health has released its latest concept paper, outlining a new, improved approach to regulating care for aged and elderly people.
The initiative is in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Opening its plans, the Department said the Concept Paper: Concepts for a new framework for regulating aged care, outlined some early thinking in developing a new framework to support the aged care system in the future.
“This new framework will inform a new Aged Care Act and support aged care reforms such as the new Support at Home Program,” the Department said.
“The Concept Paper is the first step in the public consultation process to design the framework,” it said.
The Department said consultation would cover design of the regulatory framework, operational arrangements, transition options and the implementation plan.
It said the Government was committed to a comprehensive program of reforms that would be delivered across five pillars: Home care; residential aged care services and sustainability; residential aged care quality and safety; workforce; and governance.
“The reforms aim to strengthen and enhance the protection and rights of older Australians, and will have impacts on aged care governance, quality standards and providers,” the Department said.
“Consistent with this reform agenda, new, modernised aged care legislation will be introduced that is fit for purpose, delivers proportionate regulation and supports the provision of safe and quality care for senior Australians in line with the expectations of the Royal Commission.”
The Department said in addition, a new Support at Home Program would be developed in consultation with senior Australians and community stakeholders.
“This reform will address several of the Royal Commission’s recommendations to improve the support for senior Australians to remain independent and in their own homes for longer,” it said.
The Department’s 25-page Concept Paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
