Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Overview

An independent capability review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) is being undertaken in response to recommendations 10 and 104 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Mr David Tune AO PSM, former Secretary of the Australian Department of Finance, is conducting the review and will produce a preliminary and a final report over the course of the six-month review.

The findings will be used to support the Commission’s capacity to ensure safe and high-quality care for older Australians now and into the future. The review will identify improvements to support the aged care regulator to undertake strong regulatory activities, embed best practice, increase accountability and to enhance its quality and prudential activities.
 

Have your say

Stakeholder feedback is sought on all aspects of the review’s Terms of Reference with a particular focus on:

3.a)    The Commission’s risk management approach and decision making, including: the appropriate use, timing and delegation of powers to best protect the safety and wellbeing of aged care residents and care recipients, the balance of the Commission’s effort and focus directed towards poor/high risk performers while still maintaining whole of system safety and quality, and the balance of education and best practice promotion vs. enforcement.

3.b)    The adaptability of the Commission to meet emerging challenges/issues/risks/concerns within the aged care sector (e.g. the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic).

3.e)    The capability of the Commission’s workforce to perform the functions of a regulator including workforce size and the adequacy of clinical, assessment, monitoring, compliance and enforcement knowledge and skills.

3.f)     The capability of the Commission to undertake monitoring and enforcement activities in rural and remote areas, and to ensure nationally consistent but locally relevant application of the standards, reviews, enforcement action and outcomes.

3.g)    The capability of the Commission to undertake monitoring and enforcement activities for aged care services providing care for older people with dementia, culturally and linguistically diverse consumers and specific diversity groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans and the LGBTIQ+ communities.

4.       The Commission’s transparency and engagement/communications with, and education of, older Australians, their families and carers, and the community more broadly (e.g. through public reporting and messaging).

We invite you to share your feedback with a submission (1500 word limit).

Submissions close 2 December 2022.

Please note some unattributed content from submissions may be used in the preliminary and final reports. If you do not want your unattributed content to be included, please note this in your submission. Attributed content will only be used where permission is sought and received.

Why your views matter

The independent reviewer is seeking feedback to enable the views of individual older Australians, their families and carers, providers and the broader sector to inform the review outcomes and ensure safe and quality aged care services.

Find more information on the independent review on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Website