Paul Versteege attacks dominance of providers in aged care initiatives – but welcomes Prof. John Pollaers’ ‘change of heart’ on staffing ratios

The Policy Manager for the Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association of NSW, Mr Versteege has long been a critic of providers – which he made clear during his 90-minute appearance on the stand.

He criticised the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA), the Aged Care Sector Committee and the Aged Care Workforce Taskforce, saying they risk “diluting the advocacy they can do” by filling their ranks with operators and aged care peak bodies.

Mr Vertsteege singled out the fact that Professor John Pollaers, Chairman of the Workforce Taskforce, had concluded in his report that mandatory ratios for aged care were not feasible – only to change his mind and lend his voice to the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation’s campaign for ratios.

Senior Counsel Assisting Peter Gray QC responded that they will be seeking comment from Prof Pollaers later in the hearings.

Mr Versteege also argued quite persuasively that the reason there has been an increase in sanctions against providers is because the procedures for accrediting facilities have changed; for example, food is now observed to see if it is being eaten rather than just looking at documents and speaking to staff and residents.

Commissioner Briggs seemed to be on the same wavelength, asking if he thought the regulatory regime had been one of ‘tick and flick?’, to which he said “Tick and flick is probably a good description”.

Mr Versteege’s solution? He wants to split accreditation applied to aged care facilities – because he argues they are two separate businesses.

“One is a real estate business and one is a care business,” He said. “This would have two main advantages – where there is serious non-compliance and the accreditor might consider withdrawing accreditation and this is easier to do. The residents all stay put in the same facility but a different care provider can be brought in to address the problems in care provision.”

An interesting idea – and one that the Commissioners thanked him for: Commissioner Richard Tracey saying “your practical knowledge has been of great assistance”.