Government urges staff-to-resident ratios in aged care royal commission submission
The state government has told the aged care royal commission that staff-to-resident ratios and improved screening and regulation of workers are needed to overhaul the system.
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Victoria is demanding the introduction of staff-to-resident ratios in aged care homes to ensure elderly residents receive safe and high-quality care.
The Herald Sun can reveal the state government is pushing for staff ratios — along with improved screening and regulation of workers — as part of a suite of reforms it has proposed to the aged care royal commission.
In its submission, the government called on the Commonwealth to boost funding for home care packages, with almost 23,000 Victorians stuck on the waiting list at the end of last year, and many expected to wait more than 12 months for help.
Victoria is also pushing for integrated primary healthcare in aged care homes, warning that providers are struggling to find GPs to attend to residents.
Ambulance Victoria data showed a quarter of emergency calls to triple-0 from aged care facilities were dealt with by secondary triage services, highlighting a lack of nursing, GP and locum services.
The submission also revealed that while 75 per cent of aged care residents were taking nine or more medications, only 29 per cent had a doctor review their medication in 2018.
Disability, Ageing and Carers Minister Luke Donnellan said the federal government needed to do more to improve the aged care system and protect the people in its care.
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“Our vision for the future of Australian aged care is a well-trained and resourced sector with integrated health care that supports our older citizens in making their own choices, no matter where they live,” he said.
The state government also called for a renewed focus on the use of physical restraints in aged care homes.
While the use of restraints has been cut by 91 per cent in public facilities in Victoria, restraints are still used on between 12 and 49 per cent of aged care residents nationwide.