Aged Care Royal Commission hearings resuming July

The Royal Commission in Aged Care Quality and Safety has announced that the hearings will resume next month, in July, after an indefinite hiatus to hearings to protect older participants and staff during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<p>Commissioners implemented the suspension of hearings to also allow the aged care sector to focus on managing the impact of the pandemic. [Source: iStock]</p> — Commissioners implemented the suspension of hearings to also allow the aged care sector to focus on managing the impact of the pandemic. [Source: iStock]

The suspension of hearings was announced in March 2020. The hearing on mental health, oral health and allied health care in aged care provision will now take place in Melbourne from 15 – 17 July.

Commissioners implemented the suspension to also allow the aged care sector to focus on managing the impact of the pandemic and infection control measures while delivering quality aged care services.

Even though the hearings have not been taking place, Royal Commissioners and staff have been working on research and policy development in preparation for the Final Report which is still due in November of this year.

The research the Commissioners and staff have been working on will be released to the public in coming weeks.

The Melbourne hearing will be closed to public sittings because of COVID-19 restrictions. However, the public can view the hearing via a live webcast on the Royal Commission’s website.

This hearing on mental health, oral health and allied health will be inquiring how these services can be improved for older people receiving aged care services and will be looking into:

Increased funding and/or alternative funding models
Incentives for health care professionals to provide services at an individual’s place of residence
Increased training for aged care workers
Clarifying responsibilities of approved providers and implementing performance measures or performance indicators.

Individuals who have been invited or required to provide evidence at the public hearing need to make an appearance or apply for an application for leave to appear. This application form is available on the Royal Commission website.

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