4 years ago
MORRISON GOVERNMENT’S AGED CARE REGULATOR FAILS OLDER AUSTRALIANS
Julie Collins MP
Damning new figures have revealed more than 2,000 complaints in just three months led to no fines or warnings from the Morrison Government’s aged care regulator.
These shocking figures lay bare the complete failure of the Morrison Government’s regulator to ensure Australia’s aged care homes were safe from COVID-19.
It is difficult to believe so little was done to follow-up the concerns of residents, families and loved ones in the middle of a deadly global pandemic.
Despite the terrible stories from overseas, which exposed how vulnerable aged care homes were to COVID-19 outbreaks, the Morrison Government’s regulator failed to act.
How did anyone think it was acceptable that more than 2,000 complaints in just three months led to no action against aged care homes?
This must prompt real action from the Morrison Government to fix the aged care regulator.
Last week it was revealed the regulator had visited just 1 in 6 aged care homes to check infection control practises more than two months after fresh outbreaks of COVID-19 in Victoria.
The failed Minister for Aged Care last month confirmed the Morrison Government’s regulator ceased unannounced visits to aged care homes at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The regulator also had to shockingly admit it knew about the deadly outbreak of COVID-19 at St Basil’s for four days and failed to inform the Department of Health.
It is clear the aged care regulator doesn’t have the powers and resources it needs to ensure older Australians are receiving high quality aged care.
The Morrison Government must fix this now.
These shocking figures lay bare the complete failure of the Morrison Government’s regulator to ensure Australia’s aged care homes were safe from COVID-19.
It is difficult to believe so little was done to follow-up the concerns of residents, families and loved ones in the middle of a deadly global pandemic.
Despite the terrible stories from overseas, which exposed how vulnerable aged care homes were to COVID-19 outbreaks, the Morrison Government’s regulator failed to act.
How did anyone think it was acceptable that more than 2,000 complaints in just three months led to no action against aged care homes?
This must prompt real action from the Morrison Government to fix the aged care regulator.
Last week it was revealed the regulator had visited just 1 in 6 aged care homes to check infection control practises more than two months after fresh outbreaks of COVID-19 in Victoria.
The failed Minister for Aged Care last month confirmed the Morrison Government’s regulator ceased unannounced visits to aged care homes at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The regulator also had to shockingly admit it knew about the deadly outbreak of COVID-19 at St Basil’s for four days and failed to inform the Department of Health.
It is clear the aged care regulator doesn’t have the powers and resources it needs to ensure older Australians are receiving high quality aged care.
The Morrison Government must fix this now.