Labour, Green Party, Grey Power aged care report tabled in Parliament

Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson today on behalf of the Green Party, Grey Power and the more than 1200 people who took part, tabled in Parliament today a report into the aged care sector.

“During the several months this report took to compile more than 1200 people attended meetings hosted by Labour, the Green Party and Grey Power right around the country,” Ruth Dyson said.

“The contribution made by these, individuals and organisations ensured that a robust report that focussed on people not politics was delivered.

“The report made 14 recommendations which focus on improving the aged care sector.

“These recommendations aren’t about politics. They are about making real improvements.

“I know Labour, the Green Party and Grey Power are extremely proud of the report and urge the Government to take notice.

“The 1200 people who turned out to public meetings to have their say on aged care deserve to have the Government listen to their concerns,” Ruth Dyson said.

Key Recommendations

• Establish an independent Aged Care Commission and Commissioner.

• Establish a technical working party – made up of experts from industry, including providers, consumers, and aged care specialists and the unions.

• Government funded training provided to all aged care staff – in residential and home based support services.

• Minimum staffing levels for nurses and caregivers to be mandated in regulations.

• A star rating system for aged care facilities to be developed and made publicly available on the Aged Care Commissioner’s website.

• Unannounced focused audits by accredited independent auditors.

• All residential aged care facilities and home based support service providers to operate under greater transparency and accountability.

• Pay parity for aged care staff (including residential and home based support) with staff working in public hospitals and the community.

• A national contract for home care workers and aged residential care workers.

• Greater consistency for home support services.

• National face-to-face standardised model for home based assessments.

• More integrated networks for home support services.

• More specialist gerontology training offered across the sector to address the desperate shortage of specialist services.

• Consistent packages for dementia patients.

ENDS

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