A Plan for Quality aged care“We’re heard some terrible stories about aged care over the past year or so, and those stories have caused some people to lose confidence in the system,”Christian says.
By Christian Zahra - 7th June 2001 - Back to News “We’re heard some terrible stories about aged care over the past year or so, and those stories have caused some people to lose confidence in the system,”Christian says.
“Older people and families in Gippsland will be relieved to know that a future labor Government will be absolutely committed to making sure that national standards of aged care are set and met.”
Christian said we are very lucky in Gippsland to have, in the main, hostels and nursing homes of a high standard.
“But it’s very important that aged care facilities are properly funded and regulated by governments, otherwise standards can slip,” Christian says.
“Anyone who has a family member or friend living in a care facility know just how vulnerable frail older people in these circumstances really are.”
“It’s our responsibility as a decent society, to make certain that they receive the respect and care they deserve.”
Mr Zahra said that in government labor would establish a ‘National Benchmark of care’ to guarantee the highest possible level of care for older Australians.
“Once we’ve established that benchmark, we’ll provide aged care facilities with the funding they need and create minimum staffing guidelines to make sure that the standards are met,”Christian says.
Christian explained that a future labor government will also guarantee that every nursing home and hostel in Australia is subject to at least one surprise inspection each year.
“I’ve been saying for a long time that nursing homes and hostels that are providing high quality care will welcome this initiative, as will the residents and their families,” Christian says.
Labor will also appoint an Aged Care Ombudsman to ensure that, unlike has been the case in recent times, complaints about the treatment of elderly residents are investigated without delay.
“Even though the vast majority of our local facilities are already offering care of a high standards, it’s important that mechanisms are put in place to maintain those standards,” says Christian.
“We owe a great debt to older people within our community. They’ve worked hard, fought in wars, raised families, paid taxes and built a wonderful community for us to enjoy.”
“They deserve our gratitude, our respect and our deepest care. That’s what labor’s Plan for Quality Aged Care is all about.”
Labor’s Plan for Quality Aged Care is the first part of Labor’s response to aged care. Further policies will be released over the coming months, including a response to the shortage of nursing home and hostel beds in regional areas such as Gippsland.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: christianzahra@messenger.com.au
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