Royal Commission 2019

Latest update about the Commission:

2 March 2021: The Royal Commission has released its final report to the public, which can be downloaded from their website by clicking here. Substantial work is now underway within Helping Hand and the aged care sector to address the recommendations made in the report. 

 

Read previous updates about the Royal Commission here.

 

In September 2018, the Federal Government announced a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and released the Terms of Reference in October 2018.

In broad terms, the Terms of Reference required the Commission to examine:

• the quality and safety of aged care services provided to older Australians by reference to a range of factors, such as dignity, choice and control, clinical care, end-of-life care;
• how best to deliver aged care services in a sustainable way including to residents with a disability and those living with dementia, examples of good practice and innovative models of care;
• the future challenges for delivering accessible, affordable and high quality services in the context of rapidly changing demographics and consumer preferences.

On 23 November 2018 Helping Hand, as a larger provider, was invited to provide an early written submission to the Commission. It was voluntary to participate in the Royal Commission. Helping Hand chose to participate, for several reasons:

• We are committed to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement;
• We value our workforce and recognise that the vast majority of aged care staff provide services with great compassion and professionalism; and
• We were hopeful that the Royal Commission recommendations would strengthen the aged care sector and lead to improved outcomes for older Australians.

The first Hearing of the Royal Commission was held on 18 January 2019, and the Commission aimed to deliver an interim report in October 2019 and a final report in November 2020.

For further information, or if you have any feedback about the Royal Commission process, please contact Helping Hand on 1300 653 600.

You can also find out more about the Royal Commission via its website.

Helping Hand welcomed the Royal Commission as an opportunity for all stakeholders in this sector to demonstrate how we can do better and be better. We also see this as an opportunity to highlight the value of our work and our workforce and the respect that should be afforded to our nation’s elders.