Have your say on the implementation of Royal Commission recommendations 

The Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care is seeking your feedback on the implementation of Aged Care Royal Commission Recommendations ahead of a June 1 deadline when it must deliver its Progress Report to the Minister for Aged Care. 

Key points

• The role of the Inspector-General of Aged Care, and the supporting office, was established in October 2023 to provide independent oversight of the aged care system through regular monitoring, reviews and reporting
• The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Final Report made 148 recommendations for generational reform with many implemented while others have been rejected or remain under consideration
• This 2024 Progress Report will report on the Government’s progress toward all 148 recommendations, featuring input from organisations and individuals alongside the Inspector-General of Aged Care’s

The report will focus on access and navigability of the aged care system with provider and consumer input essential elements for the Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, Ian Yates AM.

“Aged care providers obviously have important perspectives on the degree and effectiveness of the implementation of Royal Commission recommendations, and of any unintended consequences,” Mr Yates told hello leaders.

“The Inspector General needs to have their information and views, with evidence, to help form an independent judgement on what has been achieved, or not, to date. The Inspector General is independent of the Department, the Commission and Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA), but the Office will only learn about provider views if they tell us.”

The 2024 Progress Report is not the first to be prepared by the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care; a 2023 report focused on seven priority areas and roughly 60 recommendations. This time round, Mr Yates said it was important to look at the status of all 148 recommendations, albeit still with a refined focus.

“In this report, we have chosen to focus in more depth on access and navigability both into the aged care system and then within it as people’s needs are identified and change,” Mr Yates said.

“This focus reflects our own analysis of priority issue for consumers and feedback to the Office through our stakeholder engagement over recent months. This focus should not deter anyone from making a submission or representation on any aspect of Royal Commission recommendations.”

During the submission process, the Office of the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care is specifically after information related to: 

• How people access aged care for the first time
• Whether they can identify and obtain the care and support they need
• Whether they understand the system 
• If they understand how to navigate the system to access needed care once they are in the aged care system

Although the information is consumer-focused, aged care providers, consumer groups, peak bodies and academics are among those who are asked to give feedback. Additionally, while there are over 50 recommendations relevant to access and navigability, providers can offer feedback on all 148 recommendations. 

The Office of the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care provided several recommended questions as a guide for those submitting. However, all are welcome to provide additional thoughts and insights. The questions cover the following nine key topics:

• Overall progress with the implementation of Royal Commission recommendations 
• Dementia support
• Star Ratings
• The single comprehensive assessment process
• Care finders to support navigation of aged care
• Designing for diversity, difference, complexity, and individuality
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care pathway within the new aged care system 
•  Access to aged care in rural and remote areas
•  Access to respite care

All responses must be provided no later than March 28 to ensure they can influence the final progress report. 

For more information, including how to provide a submission, visit the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care website.