The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will encourage a wide-ranging and constructive national discussion on the future of quality services for Australia’s ageing population.
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That’s the view of Aged & Community Services Australia, the leading peak body supporting more than 700 organisations providing accommodation and care services to older Australians.
Aged & Community Services Australia chief executive officer Pat Sparrow said the broad and inclusive scope of the terms of reference recognised aged care services touched the lives of older Australians and their families in meaningful and important ways but also recognised there was complexity to questions around how care was delivered to individuals with varying care needs.
“It is pleasing to see the terms of reference acknowledge the need to look into all aspects of aged care; issues specific to remote, rural or regional areas; caring for those with chronic or complex health needs like dementia, as well as hearing from younger people with disabilities living in residential care,” she said.
The federal government outlined the Royal Commission terms of reference following more than 5000 submissions, four national roundtables and consultation with the medical and aged care profession.
The Royal Commission’s interim report is due by October 31, 2019 with the final report by April 30, 2020.
Joseph McGrath and Lynelle Briggs have been appointed Commissioners.
It is pleasing to see the terms of reference acknowledge the need to look into all aspects of aged care; issues specific to remote, rural or regional areas; caring for those with chronic or complex health needs like dementia, as well as hearing from younger people with disabilities living in residential care.
- Aged & Community Services Australia chief executive officer Pat Sparrow
The Whiddon Group has welcomed the wide scope set out in the terms of reference.
The Whiddon Group chief executive officer Chris Mamarelis said Whiddon had previously stated it supported a Royal Commission which focused on generating positive and constructive outcomes for residents, families and employees alike, along with strategies to build a more viable aged care sector.
“Following the recent announcement, we welcome the wide scope that the terms of reference set out for the Royal Commission, which encompass all aspects of aged care and focuses on delivering a safe, high quality, aged care system that all older Australians need and deserve,” he said.
“As an aged care provider committed to caring for older Australians in regional, rural and remote NSW and Queensland, we are pleased to see that the needs of older people in these communities have been specifically identified in the terms of reference.”
Mr Mamarelis said given Whiddon’s approach to care, they were pleased the terms of reference also provided scope to embed best practice examples from the many providers and employees who were bringing incredible innovation and a strong focus on delivering best outcomes for older Australians and their families.
Meanwhile a spokesperson for Uniting said: “Uniting supports the broad, inclusive terms of reference which we believe will encourage a constructive national conversation on the future of aged care.”
Aged care providers in the Port Macquarie-Hastings had previously welcomed the federal government's decision for a Royal Commission into the sector.
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