Aged care consumer panel to inform regulator

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is recruiting aged care recipients and their relatives to share their ideas and opinions on issues and engagement via a newly established forum.

The commission has established the Consumers and Families Panel to better understand what’s important to people who use aged care services and to help it oversee quality and resolve complaints.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson said the panel reflected that people receiving aged care and their experience were central to the commission’s purpose of ensuring their wellbeing.

“They must be front and centre of everything aged care providers do, and also in the work of the Commission, placing the needs of those receiving care at the forefront at all times,” Ms Anderson said in a statement.

“It is very important that the panel is as diverse as the people who use Australian Government funded aged care.”

The commission is inviting aged care residents or anyone receiving home aged care or Commonwealth-funded aged care services in the community to take part. It is also keen to hear from family members and carers of aged care recipients, and people considering using aged care services within the next 12 months.

“It will improve the way we regulate aged care services and resolve complaints and help make sure that the information we produce is fit for purpose and easy to understand for everyone,” Ms Anderson said.

Panel members will be able to provide input by email or telephone and via online or in-person meetings. The commission is seeking ideas and opinions on:

• issues of most concern to people receiving care
• how the commission can reach people better
• how people can better interact with the commission
• videos or other resources prepared by the commission.

Older Persons Advocacy Network chief executive officer Craig Gear said the panel would enable older people and their families to better engage with and inform the aged care regulator.

“Their lived experience is critical to ensuring all older people receive the care and services they deserve,” he said in a statement.

Register interest in joining the panel online or by calling 1800 951 822.

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