Aged care Royal Commission will focus on the future and learn from mistakes of the past, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says

A JUDGE and a former top public servant will help build a “national culture of respect” for ageing Australians through the Adelaide-based Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced.

A JUDGE and a former top public servant will help build a “national culture of respect” for ageing Australians through the Adelaide-based Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced.

The commission will be held in Adelaide — after the Oakden scandal led to the city being declared “ground zero” in Australia’s nursing home crisis — with further hearings held around the country and evidence to be presented via video.

The inquiry, now formally established by the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, will be led by West Australian Supreme Court Justice Joseph McGrath and former Medicare Australia and Public Service Commissioner Lynelle Briggs.

The pair bring “strong investigative skills” and extensive experience to the role, according to Mr Morrison, who said the Royal Commission will be the first step in re-establishing the trust that loved ones will be treated with “dignity and respect”.

“It is a very future focused Royal Commission, but we are going to learn from the mistakes and the problems of the past as well,” Mr Morrison said.

“We need to establish a national culture of respect for senior Australians and Australians as they age.

“Our government wants to ensure Australians have access to the level of care and support each person would expect for themselves.’’

At least 5100 people including aged care residents, their families and providers across Australia were consulted on the terms of reference which include:

— QUALITY and safety including the extent of substandard care

— HOW to best deliver care services to people with disabilities residing in aged care facilities, including younger people, and the increasing number of people living with dementia

— FUTURE challenges and opportunities for delivering accessible, affordable and high quality aged care services, including people’s desire to remain living at home as they age, and aged care in rural, regional and remote Australia

— HOW to allow people greater choice, control and independence and improve engagement with families and carers

The Royal Commission’s interim report is to be provided no later than 31 October, 2019 with its final report no later than 30 April, 2020.

Premier Steven Marshall yesterday welcomed the decision to base the Royal Commission in Adelaide.

“There is no doubt, as the ICAC commissioner said, this was a very dark chapter in SA’s history,” Mr Marshall said.

“We have of course suffered through the tragedy of Oakden, it has affected many lives here in SA.

“The Liberal government want to do everything we possibly can to get our care facilities at the very highest level, so we can ensure and give confidence to people living in our aged care facilities that they have the very best of care going forward.”

Opposition aged care spokeswoman Julie Collins said the Federal Government must consider providing funding for additional counselling and trauma services in the lead up to and during the Royal Commission.

“Many of the families who will be brave enough to convey their personal experiences as part of the Royal Commission will do so with great anxiety and distress,” Ms Collins said.

“Given the seriousness of the issues that will be raised during the Royal Commission, providing this additional support is the right thing to do for Australians who re-tell their stories.”

Originally published as Aged care Royal Commission will focus on the future and learn from mistakes of the past, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says