Latest News

Royal Commission – May Update

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is now on Facebook. The page includes the latest information about hearings, community forums and how to make a submission.

The Royal Commission website also has a some new features including:

Sydney Hearing

The Royal Commission will hold a public hearing in Sydney from Monday 6 May 2019 to Wednesday 8 May 2019, and from Monday 13 May 2019 to Friday 17 May 2019. The hearing will inquire into:

  • the perspective and experience of people in residential aged care and people living with dementia, and their family and carers
  • quality and safety in residential aged care, particularly for people living with dementia
  • the use of restrictive practices in residential aged care
  • the extent to which the current aged care system meets the needs of people in residential aged care
  • good practice care for people living with dementia, particularly in the context of residential aged care.

A summary of this hearing will be included in the June update.

Background Papers

During the first week of May 2019, three background papers were released by the Royal Commission in addition to the first paper released in February 2019.

Background Paper 2Medium- and long-term pressures on the system: the changing demographics and dynamics of aged care. This paper outlines how demographic, social and economic pressures will impact on aged care in Australia. It has been prepared by Dr David Cullen with the support of staff of the Office of the Royal Commission for the information of Commissioners and the public.

Background Paper 3 Dementia in Australia: nature, prevalence and care. This paper provides a high-level introduction to dementia, including its nature, prevalence in Australia, and research about how to best care for people living with dementia. It has been prepared by staff of the Office of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Background Paper 4Restrictive practices in residential aged care in Australia. This paper provides a high-level introduction to restrictive practices in residential aged care in Australia including the use of physical and chemical restraint. It has been prepared by staff of the Office of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

For more information, see the Royal Commission website.

Written by Ilsa Bird, Sector Support Coordinator.