The federal government has some clear responsibilities in dealing with the pandemic. Its lapses in aged care homes are plain to see, but who is accountable?
Senior Australians are calling for the people caring for them to be “fully vaccinated”, says Older Persons Advocacy Network CEO Craig Gear.
He said older people are expecting the “people coming into contact with them” in both residential aged care and home care “will have had the vaccine and will be able to deliver safe and high-quality care”.
He said the news of the five-day vaccine blitz in Victoria was “really pleasing”.
“We’ve been talking to the government about the need for a number of initiatives to support the aged care work force to be able to get their vaccine… but in a way that incentivises and recognises their value."
The Hon Greg Hunt MP Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Australian Government has taken an important step to deliver its reforms to aged care by introducing the first legislation in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 1) Bill 2021 has been introduced into Parliament today, and makes necessary changes to current aged care legislation, ahead of the new aged care act planned for 2023.
This Bill is the first step in the Government’s five year, five pillar, aged care reform plan addressing home care, residential aged care services and sustainability, residential care quality and safety, workforce and governance.