The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has warned that the current clinical care standard under the Aged Care Quality Standards is too “high level and vague”, and is calling for reform.
In a submission to the Federal Government’s review of the Quality Standards, the peak medical body urged the Government to adopt new standards that make clear how:
- clinical governance and accountability is achieved, including through establishment of relevant advisory committees, that must include medical input;
- the standard integrates advance care planning and palliative care;
- consumer understanding of what clinical care entails can be improved; and
- clear lines of responsibility for clinical care are established and evaluated.
“While the important principles of respect, dignity, and engagement with older people were noted, these Standards altered the administrative duties of aged care providers but did not improve the actual care provision for the older person.
“The additional administrative requirements might be considered analogous to ‘tick-box’ exercises, without improving clinical care, and also detract from the time aged care staff provide care,” the AMA wrote.
Additionally, the association noted that clinical care inside an RAC home “cannot be separated” from an older person’s overall healthcare.
“Therefore, policies and procedures must be in place that support effective communication with visiting medical practitioners (GPs and other medical specialists, e.g., geriatricians and psychiatrists) and allied health professionals, including standing orders for individual consumers, and protocols for contact after hours and in emergency situations. These must be enshrined in the Standards,” it said.
The review was open for public consultation until November 25; aged care providers were sent a survey on the Standards last year.
