Federal Government issues challenge to Opposition on ageing issues

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has challenged the Federal Opposition to support plans to improve quality in aged care – after the measures were criticised by some sections of the sector.

Mrs Elliot issued a direct challenge to Federal Opposition leader, Dr Brendan Nelson, and the Shadow Minister for Ageing, Mrs Margaret May, to support the measures.

“My challenge is simple: Do you support the tough new measures or not?”

The Government’s measures announced on 22 March by  Mrs Elliot include boosting visits by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation agency  to  7,000 visits (up from 4,000) to aged care facilities across the nation.

Other measures taken by Mrs Elliot to strengthen the current protocols and protections for nursing home residents include:

• Expanding the requirement for staff to undergo police checks

• Strengthening the powers of the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency

• Requiring clinical staff to check on actual residents in a facility as a part of their investigations

• Reviewing the Aged Care Act to close loopholes and/or make improvements to quality in aged care.