The BallyCara CEO and Brisbane-based chairman of the Global Ageing Network (GAN), Marcus Riley says a Royal Commission should look at connected issues in social policy as well as the legal and judicial system and the economic impacts of pensions, health funds and primary health networks.
“Aged care is a team sport. We need to have that sort of approach,” Mr Riley told the Catholic Leader.
Mr Riley added that he hoped to provide input into the Commission that could reshape aged care culture for the better.
“It’s very difficult to prevent a first incident by a staff member who might be inclined to be so abusive,” he said.
Unsurprisingly, he believes investment in recruiting and retaining the right staff is critical to stamping out abuse.
“One of the important things for a provider is to be really investing in the recruitment process so that you are spending time with individuals before they hit the floor working in any facility,” he said.
“The demands of the sorts of care roles the industry needs is simply too much for some people.”
