The Federal Government has committed almost half a billion dollars in an immediate response to the almost 150 recommendations in the final report of the Aged Care Royal Commission.
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said the government was providing an additional $452.2 million in funding to address immediate issues in the aged care sector.
“It’s the inquiry we needed to have,” Mr Morrison said.
“Australians must be able to trust that their loved ones will be cared for appropriately and the community should have confidence in the system. This remains our clear goal.”
The Prime Minister, along with Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, released the more than 2000-page report after it was handed to the federal government on Friday, February 26.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government was committed to reforming aged care.
“The royal commission’s report is a significant document, the culmination of a two-year inquiry, and demands a carefully considered response,” he said.
In its two years, the royal commission heard from 641 witnesses, including residents, staff, families and experts, held almost 100 days of hearings, accepted more than 10,500 public submissions and produced 38 reports and research papers, including a special report on COVID-19.
In its interim report, the royal commission found the aged care system had failed older Australians.
“It does not deliver uniformly safe and quality care for older people. It is unkind and uncaring towards them. In too many instances, it simply neglects them,” it said.
The Morrison government has previously committed to responding to the final report by the May budget.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
