The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has started hosting community forums around the country that are open to everyone – residents, families, aged care workers and the wider community – to tell the Commissioners about their experiences.
The first two have already been held in Bankstown (NSW) and Bendigo (VIC), with another scheduled in Wollongong (NSW) next week, but they will be heading to each state and territory including both cities and regional areas – and we would urge you to take part when they come to your community.
These forums are not the typical usual courtroom-style hearings. Instead, members of the public can voluntarily pre-register to speak directly to Commissioners about their experiences and suggestions for the sector in just four or five minutes.
No media are allowed to record the statements, take photos or identify the speakers, so you’re able to speak freely and anonymously.
If you don’t want to get up in front of a big crowd (we understand!), you can also submit a written statement. At each event, attendees are supplied with a questionnaire that asks the following:
- What are the current problems in aged care?
- What can be done to achieve high quality, safe, person-centred aged care in the future?
- How can we build a culture of dignity and respect for older people?
- Any other comments
The Commissioners have assured us that all of these will be read and considered when they write their final report – so you won’t miss out on being heard.
So far, the forums have had audiences of more than 300 people each, each with powerful stories and ideas on how to improve the aged care system to share – why not get involved?
You can stay up-to-date on when these are happening and how to get involved here.
