‘Swift’ actions of Aged Care Complaints Scheme
The federal government has responded to allegations made about alleged abuse at a Queensland aged care facility, stating the Aged Care Complaints Scheme acted “swiftly”, undertaking an unannounced visit to the home late last month.
Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, states the Aged Care Complaints Scheme acted 'swiftly' in the case of alleged abuse at a Queensland aged care facility.
Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield warns any kind of mistreatment of older Australians in the care of an aged care facility is “completely unacceptable”.
“Older Australians who live in residential aged care can sometimes be more vulnerable than others, making any breach of the trust placed in these facilities even more appalling,” Senator Fifield says.
He claims the health, safety and wellbeing of older people who reside in aged care facilities is paramount to the federal government.
Given the gravity of the new allegations made in The Australian, the independent Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (Quality Agency) was on site earlier this week to conduct a comprehensive review of the facility’s operations.
As part of its standard case management processes, the Quality Agency will also review the performance history of other facilities operated by the provider.
Assessors from the Quality Agency will interview staff, review residents’ care plans, and observe the staff and management practices of both care managers and frontline staff to ensure that all information is taken into account when deciding whether the home meets all 44 expected outcomes of the Accreditation Standards.
“Any resident who wants to meet confidentially with the assessment team will be able to do so, and any relatives or resident’s representative will also be able to meet with the assessment team,” Senator Fifield says.
As is standard practice, the full findings of the Quality Agency will be published on its website once the review is completed.
There are a number of robust regulatory mechanisms in place to ensure approved providers of aged care comply with government standards and regulations to provide high quality care for older people.
If concerns for the future health and wellbeing of care recipients are identified, the Department of Social Services has a range of compliance action that may be taken. This can include the imposition of sanctions, including in the most serious cases, loss of accreditation and funding.
Matters relating to the Queensland facility complaint are currently under investigation and the provider has been working to resolve the issues.
Families, residents and staff are able to bring any concerns to the attention of the Aged Care Complaints Scheme, anonymously if they wish, by calling 1800 550 552.
