Aged Care Royal Commission findings: 10 points for a consumer-centric system
26 Feb 2021
COTA Australia
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia has reaffirmed its support for a shared consumer vision for Australia’s aged care system following the Aged Care Royal Commission, the Final Report of which will be handed to the Governor General this morning.
The Final Report, which is expected to be made public within coming days, is the culmination of over two years of investigation and more than 10,000 submissions regarding quality and safety in aged care.
Some of the things COTA will be looking for in the Report are:
- A better Aged Care Act that is designed to uphold human rights and ensure consumer choice and control; containing stronger protections for consumers; and better accountability of aged care providers, with tiered enforcement measures and penalties.
- A simple system where care is guaranteed within 30 days and easy to access.
- Requirements that ensure full transparency about staffing, quality measures, complaints, compliance, and financial outcomes and supported by easy-to-understand indicators to help inform consumer choice.
- A trained, registered and well qualified workforce across all care settings.
- Proper recognition and support for the role of unpaid family/friend carers who help people to stay at home, with dedicated flexible carer support services designed to preserve their health and wellbeing.
COTA Chief Executive Ian Yates will be available for comment on the findings after they are publicly available.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Media Background Briefing
Media Background Briefing – ACRC Final Report: The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Media Background Briefing including:
- What COTA and Older Australians will be looking for in the final report & government response
- Key questions
- Key players
- Events leading to the Royal Commission (why it’s happening)
- How aged care works today
- The Royal Commission Timeline
- Royal Commission – in numbers
