Time for dedicated Aged Care Ombudsman
National Seniors Australia (NSA) has called for a dedicated and independent Aged Care Ombudsman to oversee the aged care system and ensure more openness and transparency for consumers in its response to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Caring for Older Australians.
NSA recommends appointing a dedicated and independent Aged Care Ombudsman who would report to Parliament and whose recommendations would be made public.
Feedback from members suggested an Aged Care Ombudsman would be a trusted intermediary between the various organisations in aged care provision and government and the aged care constituency including those receiving aged care, their families who interact with the system and workers within the system.
NSA is also recommending that within the Ombudsman’s office would be a Community Visitors Program (CVP), based on the model of the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) in Victoria.
These community visitors would be empowered by law to visit accommodation facilities at any time, unannounced, and monitor and then report to the dedicated Ombudsman on the adequacy of services provided, in the interests of residents and patients.
“People in residential aged care are fragile and vulnerable so there are good reasons why there should be more checks and balances, not fewer,” said Michael O’Neill, NSA chief executive.
“Currently it’s commonplace for aged care homes to be given sufficient warning about a visit from the authorities. In discussions with our members from around Australia this has been one of the big concerns because they believe regulation needs to be tougher.”
