Kim Sutton continues her efforts to improve aged care sector
The Albanese government’s ‘landmark’ aged care reforms are yet to impress two Darling Downs women who are on a crusade for justice. Here’s why.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A daughter’s unwavering fight for justice after her father’s agonising death has led her down a path she never expected.
Kim Sutton has remained steadfast in her bid to ensure all Australians die with dignity, encouraged by her late father John who suffered an agonising death while in the care of a Toowoomba nursing home.
Ms Sutton has gathered growing support far and wide from others whose loved ones were exposed to similar experiences as her father, having held a community awareness evening back in April.
Her crusade has led her to meet with federal ministers, sharing her family’s painful story in the hope to spark change and reform to aged care legislation.
After having made dozens of requests since June to meet with Aged Care Minister Anika Wells, Ms Sutton and two of her close supporters finally met with Ms Wells in November.
Ms Sutton said she was disappointed by the length of time it took to secure a meeting with Ms Wells, who previously told A Current Affair the wait was due to a scheduling conflict.
Another reason Ms Sutton was given for the delay was due to the Minister’s office reportedly receiving around 14,000 complaints per year.
“She did say to me, ‘if I promise you this will never happen again, your father’s way of dying, will that be justice’ and I (of course) said yes,” she said.
The Albanese government announced on November 25 the long awaited Aged Care Bill had passed in parliament and would take effect on July 1, 2025.
Ms Sutton said she was uncertain that new laws would have any positive benefit for nursing home residents.
“There’s barely anything for nursing homes, they need better care and that’s what I said to Anika Wells, it’s the care factor (that needs to change),” she said.
“I just don’t want anyone else to go through what my dad went through.”
This journey hasn’t been a lonely one for Ms Sutton, having made an unbreakable bond with another Toowoomba woman Jude Heppes, who claims her mother was also mistreated.
Ms Heppes was one Ms Sutton’s supporters who accompanied her to meet with Ms Wells, to further highlight the failures of the current aged care system.
The limitation on the period of time to submit a complaint to the Aged Care Quality Commission has made it difficult for Ms Heppes to seek justice for her mother.
Ms Heppes claims her mother, who had dementia and other serious illnesses, was neglected by the facility in the lead up to her death.
While her mother died of a pulmonary related event, Ms Heppes claims the facility failed to provide adequate medical assistance to her mother on multiple occasions prior to her death.
Ms Heppes said she’s also not convinced the new laws will have a great deal of benefit for nursing home residents.
The new Aged Care Bill will also focus on improving home care packages with a $4.3bn Support at Home system to improve home care wait times and add 300,000 more places over the next 10 years.
Ms Heppes said she was already on the waiting list for the commonwealth funded home package.
“You can’t get it. They’ve told me it’s going to be a long, long time before we can get any help,” she said.
The ‘landmark’ Aged Care Bill has reportedly addressed 60 recommendations made by the Aged Care Royal Commission.
A spokesman for Ms Wells said the Aged Care Bill introduces strengthened protections for older people including penalties to deter poor provider behaviour.
“Stories like Kim’s and countless others we have heard are why the Albanese government has been working hard to make major reforms to the sector,” the spokesman said.
“Older people need to be protected, and that’s why we have introduced 24/7 nursing, mandatory care minutes, a code of conduct with civil penalties.
“We commissioned a capability review of the ACQSC, with almost all recommendations to be fulfilled by the end of the year.”
Ms Sutton said she was looking to hold another community awareness information session and pancreatic cancer fundraiser in the New Year, which she hopes Ms Wells will attend.
“I want Ms Wells to come and speak with us, she’s our Aged Care Minister, if she doesn’t have time to sit down and listen to people then she should focus on her sport portfolio,” she said.
The Chronicle had asked Ms Wells’ office if she would consider attending the community meeting in Toowoomba, however the spokesman didn’t provide an answer.
Member for Groom Garth Hamilton told The Chronicle he would continue to support Ms Sutton in any way he can, including attending another community information session.
“The reality is it’s not just about Kim’s father, there’s others out there who have had similar experiences,” he said.
“While it’s hard to sit there and hear these stories, I think it’s important for a Minister to hear people out because part of their role is demonstrating that care.
“When you become a minister you accept the responsibility of representing the nation.”
Mr Hamilton said he’s in awe of the strength Ms Sutton has demonstrated, with the pair having grown close throughout her journey.
“What happens now is the long hard work of watching the impacts that this legislation has,” Mr Hamilton said.
Ms Sutton is continuing to work on having ‘John’s Law’, similar to ‘Ryan’s Rule’ implemented in Queensland nursing homes and is determined to make it a federal law.
The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.
More Coverage
Originally published as Kim Sutton continues her efforts to improve aged care sector
‘Lost in history’: How Darling Downs man is honouring his family legacy
With each generation, more and more memories are lost to the past. However one Darling Downs man is asking for young people to step up and help keep Australia’s war history alive.
‘Woke agenda’: Frecklington defends rape missing from Adult Crime, Adult time laws
Tensions flared in parliament after the Crisafulli Government was repeatedly asked why rape and attempted murder were left out of new legislation pegged to hold teenagers accountable for ‘adult crimes’.