Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Final Report
The Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was released on Friday 26th February marking the culmination of two years of inquiry into the state of Australia’s aged-care sector.
ANZSGM is satisfied that the report adequately acknowledges the range of health problems of older people in aged care homes and the need for multidisciplinary health services.
“It is clear that the Royal Commission understands that older people in aged care homes require expert medical and nursing care,” says ANZSGM President Dr John Maddison.
“It is vital that the complex medical needs of older people in aged care are met with a future primary healthcare plan that includes multi-disciplinary outreach health services.
ANZSGM strongly supports the Royal Commission’s proposed plan for state and territory governments to agree upon the introduction and funding of local hospital network-led outreach health services for residents of aged care homes. This model would enhance coordination and ensure a wider range of health services to improve the quality of life for older people.
“There is enormous value in outreach teams run by geriatricians and nurses with expertise in aged care, operating through state run health services; this needs to become a standard model of care within all local health districts,” says Dr Maddison.
Geriatric medicine services with local health districts have been aware of this issue for several years and in response have provided geriatrician and aged care nursing expertise to support aged care staff and GPs in providing better health care for residents in aged care homes.
“There are examples across the country of well-developed outreach team models that are running successfully and effectively, and they must continue to be developed.” added Dr Maddison.
Older people enter aged care homes for medical reasons, but the care they receive does not always meet their medical needs. The Royal Commission’s examination of aged care in Australia has clearly understood this fact, exposing a system that requires extensive reform.
