Today the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is holding its preliminary hearing with the first witnesses are expected to give evidence in February.
This week ahead of the hearing, The Australian newspaper revealed the 100 largest aged care providers have already self-reported between 20,000 and 30,000 cases of substandard care at their facilities in the last five years – a staggering number.
These cases range from mild to severe and we can only expect to hear more as other providers share their cases.
We believe it is important for those who have been let down by the system to share their experiences.
As Prime Minister Scott Morrison said when he announced the Commission last October, we need to “brace ourselves for some pretty bruising information about the way our loved ones have been treated”.
Making the system better
But we also need to focus on how we can improve the system and address the problems that residents, families and staff face every day such as loneliness, isolation and depression.
This is our chance to prevent the cases of poor-quality care and neglect we will hear over the coming months from happening again – and create a system we can all rely on.
It’s also an opportunity for us to get a national conversation going about aged care funding – and the need for us to pay more for our care if we want to guarantee a high-quality system and meet the expectations of residents and their families.
You can help by having your say. Public submissions to the Commission are now open until at least June.
It’s worth checking out the guidance the Commission has put together on making a submission here. They are not just looking for cases of abuse and neglect – they want ideas on how to make the system better.
Isn’t that what we all want?
If you want to make a submission to the Commissioners, you can do so by filling in an online form here, calling 1800 960 711 or by post at GPO Box 1151 Adelaide SA 5001. These can be made anonymously too.
You can also report any immediate concerns by contacting the new independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission online here or by calling 1800 951 822.
