Submissions open for Royal Commission into aged care sector
Sunshine Coast residents have been offered the chance to have their say on the the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into the aged care sector.
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SUNSHINE Coast residents have been offered the chance to have their say on the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into the aged care sector.
Last week Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the government's decision to look at the quality of care provided in residential and aged care facilities.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the region should be "proud” of the number of aged care facilities and staff that help improve the lives of senior citizens, but failures of care "simply cannot be explained or excused”.
"Following intensified policing and inspections of the aged care sector over the past year, information has come to light through the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner, the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and the Department of Health that makes the case for a Royal Commission into the sector compelling.
"As a community we expect high standards for the quality and safety of aged care services and we share these expectations.
"This Royal Commission will be about pro-actively determining what we need to do in the future to ensure these expectations can be met.”
Mr Wallace said local residents could have their say on the terms of reference via the Commonwealth Department of Health's website at consultations.health.gov.au or they are welcome to write to Minister Hunt or Minister Wyatt.
Consultation relating to the Terms of Reference will be open until September 25 and the government expects that all residents will be able to be engaged as the Royal Commission commences.
"Evidence to date shows that the problems are not restricted to any one part of the aged care sector, whether it is for profit or not for profit, large or small facilities, regional or major metropolitan,” Mr Wallace said.
"The Royal Commission will look at the sector as a whole, without bias or prejudice. It will make findings on the evidence.”
Complaints about care can be made to the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner on 1800 550 552.
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