This week a member of Nick Xenophon’s SA Best party, MP Frank Pangallo announced he would introduce a Bill mandating CCTV cameras be an option in private areas of state-run facilities, and in the common areas of SA’s private aged care homes to Parliament in November.
While most aged care facilities already have CCTV in their public areas, he says it’s not enough – and the Health Minister Stephen Wade says he’s open to the idea.
It is true that CCTV cameras have been responsible for uncovering several high-profile cases of abuse and neglect in aged care – and it would provide peace of mind for families.
Certainly, we feel that if family members want CCTV in their loved one’s room, they should be able to consider it as an option.
But with some residents being bathed in bed, the proposal does raise legal questions of privacy and dignity. The use of cameras also goes against the home-like feel that many facilities are trying to foster.
There’s also the costs to consider – most facilities are already stretched financially and would not be able to foot the bill for independent monitoring. That puts the cost back onto families.
Reforms on the way
While it is good to see a Government canvassing more ways to protect residents, the focus needs to be on creating a system where we don’t need to watch residents in their private rooms to ensure they are safe and well looked after.
The Federal Government has already taken the first steps. The Aged Care Royal Commission has now announced its Commissioners. Last week they also appointed Janet Anderson as the first Commissioner of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
The independent Commission starts on 1 January 2019 and will increase the number of unannounced re-accreditation audits of facilities – which have been law since 1 July – from 263 this year to almost 900 in 2019. Unannounced inspections will jump to more than 3,000.
Funding has also been specifically allocated towards better identifying sub-standard care and developing a Serious Incident Response Scheme.
Residents and families will know who to contact when they need help with a complaint or issue – and that the system is safe and will support their choices.
Importantly if you do have any concerns about a family member’s care, talk to the manager. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you can contact the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner on 1800 550 552 or go to www.agedcarecomplaints.gov.au.
