The commission is expected to look at the quality of care provided; the care provided to people with disabilities in residential age care, including young people with disabilities; supporting people with dementia; and delivery of aged care services in remote, rural and regional Australia.
In general Australians are staying in their homes longer, meaning that when they do enter residential aged care they typically have more acute needs. The commission is also expected to determine how this will impact residential aged care.
The inquiry will look at all aspects of the aged care sector including profit and not-for-profit, and government run nursing homes throughout Australia. Home and community aged care services such as home meal delivery will also be covered by the commission but retirement villages will likely be excluded. Terms of reference for the royal commission will be determined following consultation with aged care service consumers and their families, and aged care service providers.
Funding for age care is at record levels and expected to be $18.6 billion for the 2017-18 year, increasing to $23.6 billion over the next five years.
Industry welcomes commission
In 2017 a review into quality in the aged care sector introduced increased inspection and compliance work. Over the past 12 months the Department of Health has closed almost one aged care service per month, and a number of services have been sanctioned with improving their level of care.
Previous inquiries into the aged care industry have recommended improved staffing ratios. According to the Productivity Commission, by 2050 more than one million workers will be needed to care for 3.5 million people requiring aged care services. The one million includes cleaners, cooks, therapists as well as nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
Many of the companies and businesses involved in aged care have welcomed the commission and are requesting that it also provide clarity to service provides about how they can keep with increasing demand due to population growth. Some aged care providers claim they have previously told the government that the aged care system has not kept up with increase demand and has called for the commission to address the expected shortfall of aged care workers.
Healthstaff Recruitment currently has positions available for healthcare professionals interested in working in aged care, including positions for general practitioners who are interested in undertaking nursing home visits.