This statement of principles was developed at a workshop of the Social Policy Committee in March 2021.

The principles that will drive our analysis of proposals in this area are:

• The rights of aged care users and workers must become central to the aged care system. These rights must be grounded in the UN Declaration of Human Rights and include:

• The right to be treated with respect
• The right to participate in decisions about care
• The right to personal safety
• The right to access to appropriate medical services and care
• The right to fair remuneration and safe working conditions

These rights must be available without discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religion or any other personal characteristics; and where appropriate special protections should be made to ensure that the rights of minority groups are respected.

• The Aged Care Act must be rewritten to elevate the rights of users as central to the operation of the Aged Care System. The Act must be based on a universal right to high quality, safe and timely support and care to assist older people to live an active, self determined and meaningful life, and ensure older people receive high quality care (RCi Rec 1).

• Aged care standards should be urgently reviewed. (RC Rec 19, 20)
• The revised standards should be regulated by the Department of Health, and overseen by an independent authority that has the power to enforce standards. (RC Rec 10; 103) and supported by a transparent ratings system (RC Rec 24).
• An Inspector-General of Aged Care should be appointed to investigate systemic issues and complaints in relation to the Aged Care system (RC Rec 12)

• Measures to combat ageism in the community and the economy must be enhanced (RC Rec 26).

• Aged Care should be delivered in a single holistic system that meets the needs of older Australians as they age (RC Recs 4; 25):

• The distinction between CHSP and Home Care Packages needs to be addressed, with users transitioning between levels of support without barriers (RC Recs 28, 31).
• Case management systems need to be developed to monitor and support aged care users as their needs change. Active case management systems should replace the use of the ACAT to transition between programs (RC Rec 30).
• Active case management should also be available to ensure that users are accessing the appropriate level, and form, of support, replacing the allocation of “Home Care Packages.
• Allied health services must be funded and made available to residents of residential aged care (RC Recs 36, 38).
• Regional services must be funded to facilitate aging in place: at home or in residential care facilities that are linked to local communities (RC Rec. 55).

 

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