Minister highlights checks and controls on nursing homes

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has highlighted the increased checks and controls the Rudd Government has placed on nursing homes, to ensure protection, care and financial accountability.

She issued the statement in response to criticisms of her activities, especially the emphasis on checking of finances, by Rod Young from Aged Care Association Australia.

“The reviews of funding claims are responsible financial measures and are about accountability,” Mrs Elliot said.

“This is a budget measure.”

“It is about making sure, frail and older Australians in nursing homes are getting the care taxpayers are paying for; good aged care providers have nothing to worry about from this process.”

“There will be no backing away from the protection of older Australians.

“That is why the Australian Government has embarked on a range of measures aimed at further strengthening protections.

“They include:   

• The independent watchdog, the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, has been instructed to undertake a record 7,000 visits – including 3,000 unannounced ones – to nursing homes across the nation. This began on 1 July 2008. 
• Expanding the requirement for police checks to be extended to unsupervised staff working in nursing homes;
• Strengthening the powers of the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency;
• Requiring Departmental 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;
• Requiring aged care homes to report any cases of missing residents; and
• Asking the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency to review documentation to include a warning to approved aged care providers of offences under the Criminal Codes Act 1995. Giving false or misleading information to the Agency is a serious offence where the Agency is exercising powers or performing functions under,or in connection with, the Aged Care Act 1997.

“I have written to the Aged Care Association Australia noting that the overwhelming majority of aged care providers are providing top quality care, but have sought their cooperation in improving the protection and the quality of life of people living in aged care facilities.”