Government to assess aged care regulator
The government has announced an independent review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
The Albanese Government has announced it will conduct a capability review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells confirmed the government would act on the aged care royal commission recommendation after the former administration had failed to do so.
“Australians told us that quality and safety in aged care is of utmost importance, and the Albanese Labor Government is progressing this review,” Ms Wells said in a statement.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – established on 1 July 2019 – is responsible for protecting and improving the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life for older Australians receiving funded aged care services. “It is critical that the commission is fit for purpose,” said Ms Wells.
The government’s review will consider whether the Commission has the appropriate resources, workforce, necessary regulatory and investigatory skills, clinical knowledge, assessment skills and enforcement skills, to meet its regulatory responsibilities.
“We will continue to work closely with the commission to deliver the significant reforms introduced to parliament, including the extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme to in-home care, introduction of a new Code of Conduct, establishment of star ratings, and new provider governance reforms,” Ms Wells said.
An independent reviewer will be appointed shortly.
The review is ecpected to report back in the first half of 2023.
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The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has gone through two major restructures. It is still not working anywhere near an appropriate level to protect residents in residential care. The amount of neglect and abuse is still present even after the reported Aged Care Royal commission findings. I am sure The Disability Royal Commission will also highlight the need for a complete restructure of the Aged Care Regulator (Commission) In the mean time neglect and poor care will continue.
Aged care quality and safety commission needs an overhaul they do nothing to protect the aged