industry & reform
our submission to the royal commission
that staffing numbers be aligned to ‘if not,
why not’ benchmarks that are a better
alternative to a mandated minimum
staff-to-resident ratio. We believe this
approach warrants further attention.
“LASA supports increases in overall
staffing levels in aged care facilities,
and our sector tells us they want more
staff who are well skilled and well paid,”
Rooney said. “But we need more funding
to achieve this goal.”
In his concluding remarks, Rozen told
the commission that poor conditions of
employment, low staffing levels and poor
training are why the sector is struggling
with staff retention and attracting
future workers.
“Most workers are on minimum award
rates,” he said.
He quoted evidence given previously
by the ANMF’s Paul Gilbert, who said that
when it comes to staff numbers, it’s time
“to stop kicking the can down the road”.
“Commissioners, counsels assisting agree
with that observation,” Rozen said.
“We submit that if the goal of this royal
commission is to make recommendations
to achieve high quality, safe and person-
centred aged care services, as it must be
under the terms of reference, then the time
for real action – on staffing numbers and
mix, skill levels, remuneration, conditions
of work and registration of the unregulated
portion of the aged care workforce
– is now.”
GOVERNMENT AND ROYAL
COMMISSION AT ODDS OVER
ACAT PRIVATISATION CLAIMS
Earlier this year, the royal commission
took the extraordinary step of releasing
a statement contradicting comments
by Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck
that suggested the royal commission
recommended privatisation of the ACAT
assessment process.
Since November, media outlets have
reported that the government plans
to amalgamate the current agencies
responsible for aged care assessments –
the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
and the Regional Assessment Service (RAS)
– and offer the tender to the private sector.
The Department of Health website states
that the tender process will happen this
year, and “the new arrangements will start
from April 2021”.
“Current assessment services provided
by the RAS and ACATs will continue until
the new arrangements start,” it said.
This prompted concern from experts,
the public and Colbeck’s colleagues at
state level. NSW Health Minister Brad
Hazzard claimed that at a recent meeting
of state and federal ministers, there was no
mention of these plans.
“It seems pre-emptive and unreasonable
to be effectively privatising health aged
care services while the royal commission
into aged care is still underway. Not a
lot of logic there,” reported the Sydney
Morning Herald.
In the statement, royal commission chair
Tony Pagone acknowledged the public’s
concern and made clear that in no way did
the commission support any such moves.
“I take this opportunity to make clear
that the interim report did not endorse the
government’s stated position but noted
that we would monitor with interest the
implementation which the government
had announced,” he said.
“It is desirable in view of the public
concerns and statements which have been
expressed that it is made clear that the
work of royal commissioners is intended to
be, and is, independent of government.
“Our tasks as commissioners are detailed
in the terms of reference, and we have not
yet made recommendations about which
sector or mechanism will best achieve an
integration of Regional Assessment Services
and the Aged Care Assessment Teams.”
However, Colbeck fired back, saying
the government refutes “claims that our
intention is to privatise the assessment
process for aged care”.
“That assertion is incorrect,” he said. “The
government is completely cognisant of the
view the royal commission has expressed in
its interim report regarding the integration
of these assessment services as reiterated by
Commissioner Pagone ... The government
continues to respect the independence of
the royal commission.”
Labor MP Julie Collins described
Pagone’s comments as a “slap down” of
Colbeck.
“Senator Colbeck should correct the
record and apologise for verballing the
royal commissioners,” Collins said in a
statement.
Some fear that if the assessment buck is
passed on to the private sector, the current
standard of assessment will decrease and
move to a KPI-focused model.
Dr Timothy Woodruff of the Doctors
Reform Society said: “A privatised ACAT
will be a race to the bottom.
“Poorly trained assessors will
inadequately assess complex patient
needs as they gouge government fees
for their private owners and force the
dedicated assessors out of the system
because they will not be profitable.
More taxes wasted and gifted to private
businesses.”
Neuroscience Research Australia
professor of geriatric medicine Tony Broe
wrote in a recent opinion piece that this
is another misstep in a long history of
aged care mismanagement by successive
governments.
“[The government] has failed to deal
effectively with the country’s aged health
care needs, and what has developed is an
aged care crisis with social, political and
health-related ramifications,” he said.
“Senator Colbeck is correct to say there
are inconsistencies in the service that need
to be addressed with a national approach.
However, this does not mean throwing the
ACAT baby out with the failed aged care
bath water.”
However, two of the aged care peak
bodies say they are more concerned with
A privatised ACAT will be a
race to the bottom.
the best possible outcomes for consumers
than who delivers the assessments.
Aged and Community Services Australia
chief executive Pat Sparrow told Aged
Care Insite that she is supportive of the
government’s announcement to integrate
the RAS and ACAT teams to “deliver
consistent and accurate assessment for
older Australians”.
“Our concern is not with who delivers
the assessment on behalf of the
government, as many government services
are contracted out to third parties.
“It needs to be well resourced so that
assessments are accurate and timely,
allowing providers to confidently deliver
the care that’s needed.
“The issue is of the government
providing enough funding to keep the
residential care sector, who are struggling,
as well as home care providers, who are
being forced to cut costs, to remain viable
and deliver the care older Australians
require,” she said.
LASA chief Sean Rooney said: “LASA
supports an efficient and effective
system that delivers the best outcomes
for consumers, including accurate
assessments that provide a strong basis for
providers to develop care plans.” ■
agedcareinsite.com.au
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