Results from this week’s Guardian Essential poll says the majority of Australians are concerned about resident vulnerability in aged care settings.
77% of the 1,068 respondents agreed with the statement “authorities failed to have an adequate COVID-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities”, and most (70%) agreed underfunding of the sector had caused increased problems.
But what’s less clear is where the buck stops.
Blame for the outbreaks we’re seeing now was split closely between state government (30%) and federal government (28%), with more people blaming the providers (42%).
60% believe aged care cases should be transferred to a hospital rather than treated in a nursing home.
Interestingly, only 49% knew that the federal government is responsible for funding and regulating aged care in Australia. And the majority of respondents (70%) agree part of the reason the pandemic has been so devastating in aged care is the long-term underfunding of the sector.
And for us, that hits the nail on the head.
In a week where a report for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended providing extra $3.2 billion in funding for aged care, it’s clear that Australians recognised there’s a need for change in the sector, even if it is expensive.
Maybe if we focus on solutions rather than casting blame, real change can be achieved.
