PEOPLE concerned about the quality of aged care for their loved ones will soon be able to go to a powerful new watchdog.
But the reforms are not enough for Opposition leader Bill Shorten, who insists the sector is in crisis and the government has been asleep at the wheel.
After a string of scandals at nursing homes around the country, Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt has unveiled a plan to merge a number of agencies into a new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
It's being dubbed as a one-stop shop to prevent failures and monitor and enforce quality standards.
“Importantly, the new commission will give senior Australians and their loved ones a single point of contact when they need help in dealing with claims of sub-standard care,” Mr Wyatt said on Wednesday.
An independent commissioner will be announced and assisted by a new chief clinical advisor.
Mr Wyatt said he had met staff who were compassionate and caring while visiting facilities across Australia.
“But there are some bad apples in the mix,” he told the Nine Network, citing the closure of five centres which did not meet standards.
“I am not going to tolerate providers who do not meet what is required both within legislation, regulation and in terms of quality standards.”
He said he was concerned that people could do a six-week online course and become a personal care assistant.
Asked whether he would mandate staff ratios in aged care facilities, like child care centres, Mr Wyatt said there would not be sufficient staff for small country towns or remote Aboriginal communities.
A serious incident response scheme would be set up to handle reports of abuse, breaches of standards and disease outbreaks.
There would also be a comparison tool on the My Aged Care website to compare providers against quality standards.
Ian Yates, chief executive of COTA, the peak body for older Australians, said the overhaul was a significant step towards better monitoring.
“These are welcome steps towards rebuilding confidence that older Australians will receive safe and appropriate care,” he said.
Mr Shorten said the reforms were an overdue step but there is much more to do.
“It is too little too late,” he said. “It is a national disgrace.”
Mr Shorten said there was no point having strong standards if the workforce was not well paid and there were exceptionally high waiting lists.
The new regime will be in place by January.
AAP
