Media Releases

Statement from Ms Janet Anderson PSM, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has published a report featuring case study insights from Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) ‘unreasonable use of force’ incident notifications.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson is encouraging people receiving aged care via a home care package to work closely with their provider to sort out their care arrangements.

Yesterday, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson met with members of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s Consumers and Families Panel. Established in August 2022 and now with over 280 members, the Consumers and Families Panel is helping the Commission to improve the way it regulates aged care services and resolves complaints about services.

Coinciding with National Carers Week, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has launched new interactive online learning modules to support families and friends of aged care residents to continue to provide care and companionship as a ‘partner in care’. Updated resources are also available to encourage and help aged care providers to establish ‘Partnerships in care’ programs at their services.

In July 2022, the Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP, announced that the Government would expedite a capability review of the Commission, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. On 14 October 2022, Minister Wells released the Terms of Reference for this independent capability review.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson, has written to all aged care providers to highlight steps they must take to continue to protect people in their care during a COVID-19 outbreak.

To better understand what’s important to people who use aged care services, the Commission has established a Consumers and Families Panel made up of people receiving Australian Government funded aged care services, their family members and representatives.

All of us are shocked and concerned when a person experiences abuse or neglect, and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a timely reminder that this can happen to older Australians too.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, presenting ongoing risks to older Australians receiving aged care, the Commission is constantly reassessing its regulatory response to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

In the last few months, the Commission has further refined regulatory processes and is closely monitoring providers to hold them to account for the delivery of safe, quality care to aged care consumers during the current Omicron wave.