Aged care experts expressed their disappointment over the recent aged care royal commission review of the aged care sector.
Experts said that the recently released report was insufficient in addressing the wider issues faced by the aged care sector.
The commission responded by saying that this is not the proper time for blaming since the government already accepted all of its recommendations including a national plan for COVID-19.
Professor Joseph Ibrahim, head of Health Law and Ageing Research at Monash University said that the report was pretty benign in terms of its investigative approach.
He said that instead of critical analysis, the commission should focus on fact-finding.
He added that the commission is accountable for finding the best and proper ways to do things better.
Prof. Ibrahim, who supplied the evidence for the report, was disappointed with how the commission made their report. He added that it could be stronger and more detailed.
The Australian government and the aged care sector has been dealing with problems brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was reported that some facilities across Australia were insufficient in managing the drastic effects of the pandemic.
In the report, the commission recommended the creation of a national aged care advisory body that would completely take over the pandemic response.
It also detailed immediate funding for providers who are eager to deal with staffing problems.
Annie Butler, federal secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation welcomed the recommendations. However, she said that the commission should’ve been more detailed in staffing problems.
She said that the Aged Care Act was the main issue about understaffing.
Another issue would be the criticisms faced by the sector after having visitation rights, despite the government’s voluntary code.
The commission made no position when it came to the code and it disappointed Prof. Ibrahim.
Another problem lies in the limited hours given to staff members by different providers.
However, peak bodies of the aged care sectors welcomed the commission’s report.
Sean Rooney, chief executive of Leading Age Services Australia said that the blame game should not be in place since the only intent of the commission was to protect the welfare of older people.
Lynda Saltarelli, the founder of the Aged Care Crisis, said that the families of older people are disempowered by the report.
She even said that the ongoing response was very inhumane. She addressed why the commission did not scrutinise the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Other experts also expressed their disappointment towards the commission and said that the real damage in this situation, aside from the older people, would be to the aged care workers.
