Tara Murray
The Royal Commission into aged care in Australia has called for a fundamental reform of the system.
In their final report, Care, Dignity, Respect, Royal Commissioners Tony Pagone and Lynelle Briggs highlighted a number of concerns about the country’s aged care system.
“The extent of substandard care in Australia’s aged care system reflects both poor quality on the part of some aged care providers and fundamental systemic flaws with the way the Australian aged care system is designed and governed,” they said.
“People receiving aged care deserve better.
“The Australian community is entitled to expect better.”
The report found that there was “unacceptably high levels of substandard care”.
It was found that as many as 13-18 per cent of aged care residents in residential homes may have been assaulted and that there was an overuse of physical and chemical restraint.
According to the report, almost half of residents had concerns about staff.
The commissioners said that for far too long, the funding requirements have focused on the aged care providers rather than the needs of older people, which needs to be addressed in a new aged care system.
The commissioners made 148 wide recommendations including a new aged care act; integrated system for the long-term support and care; a plan to deliver, measure and report on high quality aged care; improved access to health care for older people; a minimum quality and safety standard for staff time; and more funding.
In response to the report Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced $452 million in funding to address immediate concerns.
RMIT distinguished professor Sara Charlesworth said the report made it clear that aged care was a federal government responsibility.
“For a long time they have said that it was providers and then during COVID it was the Victorian government,” she said.
“This report makes it very clear they had to step up and take responsibility and provide funding for the system and provide accountability for that funding.
“It’s really important report and I’m hoping the federal government really step up and not back away from it.”
Ms Charlesworth, who gave evidence to the commission, said there were clear workforce issues, with staff not paid enough and not enough staff.
She said human rights needed to be front and centre in the new act, with Australia not spending enough on aged care.
