SA providers made most appeals
The Aged Care Commissioner’s annual report shows that South Australian providers questioned the CIS more than their interstate colleagues.
Aged care facilities in South Australia made more appeals against the Department of Health and Ageing’s Complaints Investigation Scheme (CIS) than any other state in the last financial year.
In the 12 months to 30 June 2009, 31 per cent of appeals against the scheme from approved providers came from South Australia – more than any other state.
However according to the annual report from the Aged Care Commissioner, Rhonda Parker, only 11 per cent of appeals from care recipients and their recipients originated in South Australia.
In the reporting timeframe, Ms Parker finalised responses to 125 appeals against the CIS’s decisions.
The commissioner recommended that less than half (49 per cent) of the appealed decisions should be upheld.
Ms Parker recommended changes to 38 per cent of the appealed decision and in 13 per cent of cases she recommended that the decision should be set aside.
In 12 of the 125 cases, the CIS did not accept the recommendations that the commissioner made.
The commissioner also received 20 complaints against the Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance and two complaints about the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
Ageing Minister Justine Elliot also asked the commissioner to investigate two matters covered by the mainstream media.
