New laws under the Morrison Government’s latest aged care quality and safety reforms will require all aged care providers to sign and conform to a single, strengthened Charter – and deliver a personally signed copy to all residents and care recipients.
Providers will also have the opportunity to co-sign the document with clients to increase transparency between the two parties and ensure all recipients are aware of their rights.
The Charter replaces four previous separate documents that covered various forms of aged care.
While COTA has welcomed the Charter’s release, the peak older persons advocacy group has also expressed concerns that the Government has “given in to pressure” from provider groups to delay the requirement to give the Charter to their consumers.
The Charter does not come into force until 1 July 2019, giving providers more than three months to inform their customers of their legal rights. Residential providers get three extra months to 30 September and home care providers have until 31 December.
“If providers are so badly organised that they need extra time, 30 September is the absolute latest we would deem acceptable – that’s six months to communicate with their customers about their basic rights,” said COTA Chief Executive, Ian Yates (pictured).
“We urge providers who really do put consumers first to set a much earlier deadline, and those who do, COTA will publicly welcome and draw to people’s attention."
