Govt accepts Tune’s commission review

Every recommendation contained in the final report of the capability review of the aged care regulatory body has been accepted by the federal government.

The purpose of the independent review – which was announced in July 2022 and assigned to David Tune three months later – was to identify and provide best-practice recommendations to ensure the the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has the necessary legislative foundations, capabilities, and resources to meet its regulatory responsibilities.

A recommendation of the aged care royal commission, the capability review was conducted in consultation with stakeholders across the aged care sector including providers, peaks, consumers, and advocacy groups.

In the 120-page report, Mr Tune – who has undertaken several reviews of the aged care system in the past – assessed the commission’s strengths and weaknesses.

In all, Mr Tune made 32 recommendations. “The independent review led by Mr Tune charts a course for service improvement by lifting the capability of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and we’ve accepted all 32 of his recommendations,” said Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells in a statement accompanying the release of the government’s response to the review.

A number of Mr Tune’s recommendations have already been delivered – including the recommendation to improve the expertise and knowledge base of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Board, which has been expanded with four new appointments and one reappointment.

“Equipped with a wide range of experience – from aged care nursing and gerontology to human resources management and financial regulation – the refreshed council will guide the commission to the contemporary and capable regulator the sector demands,” reads the statement.

Another recommendation acted upon – the need for the commission to accelerate the development and implementation of its diversity and inclusion strategy, which was delivered in February.

A Complaints Commissioner has also been appointed as has a Deputy Commissioner Sector Capability and Regulatory Strategy, and Deputy Commissioner Corporate to strengthen the regulatory body’s executive leadership.

A further 11 recommendations are scheduled for delivery this month, including:

• a review and update of the commission’s purpose, role, and responsibilities statements, and a review and update of its website and other communications products
• the development of a cultural capability framework
• phase one of the establishment of appropriately resourced ICT governance and delivery processes
• the establishment of the cyber security uplift program.

Among the recommendations slated for delivery later this year:

• the implementation of a corporate governance framework
• the establishment by the department and the commission of a joint strategic committee, and an update of their overarching memorandum of understanding
• the implementation of a new organisational structure
• the establishment of a new communications and engagement strategy.

The commission is responsible for the delivery of 21 of the 32 recommendations, the department is responsible for delivering seven, with another four being delivered jointly by the commission and the department.

“I very much welcome the government’s response to the review and its recommendations, which provide a clear direction to strengthen the commission’s capability, effectiveness and impact as the national regulator of aged care services,” said Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson.

“The community in general, and older people in particular, have a right to expect that the regulator of aged care will be high performing, successful in holding providers to account, and incentivising best-practice service delivery.”

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