Childcare reforms should apply to aged care too

“The childcare reforms announced at yesterday’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting are to be applauded, but aged care is crying out for the same sort of reforms” said CPSA Policy Coordinator, Charmaine Crowe. 

“There are no mandatory staff-to-resident ratios in aged care, nor is there a quality rating system so that families and prospective residents can easily compare homes.” 

“Complaints about aged care have risen compared with last year, totalling 7,962 in 2008/09 and there was a 17.5% increase in the number of breaches found (1,093).” 

“303 homes had some non-compliance, up from 199 in the last financial year, and 29 homes were sanctioned (when residents’ safety is deemed to be at serious risk), up from 14 in the last financial year.” 

“Reportable assaults are up by over 50% (1,411) and allegations of sexual abuse are up 36% (272).” 

“The numbers of complaints, breaches and allegations of assault are disturbing given that there are only 2,783 aged care facilities in Australia.”  

“And yet, families really have no idea whether their relative will be at risk of poor treatment or not, because there is no information about which homes are the subject of a complaint, a breach, or have reported assaults.” 

“It is also impossible to know whether or not a home is adequately staffed at all times.” 

“Aged care must not be seen as second-class healthcare, but the current system gives the community no confidence that residents will be safe and well-cared for in a nursing home.”

Media contact: 0410 612 182

Charmaine Crowe
Policy Coordinator
Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA)
Level 9, 28 Foveaux Street Surry Hills NSW, 2010
Phone (02) 9281 3588
Mob 0410 612 182
Fax (02) 9281 9716