Not enough spot checks done in nursing homes
An aged care advocacy group has criticised the Government for opposing legislation for at least one mandatory unannounced support contact visit by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency every year.
The Aged Care Crisis Team (ACCT) said the Minister had promised such an unannounced check earlier in the year when allegations of abuse against nursing home residents were in the news.
However, on the 16th October 2006 in the Senate, the Government voted down specific amendments – which had been moved by the Opposition – mandating such checks and calling for all quality standards to be checked.
The Government also said that the spot checks would only check a small number of specific ‘Quality Outcomes’.
The whole community needs assurance that aged care inspectors go into facilities with their eyes, ears and minds open to all aspects of the care provided, ACCT said.
