{"id":23,"date":"2019-11-01T15:15:59","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T04:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/caring-futures-institute\/?p=23"},"modified":"2020-12-03T12:42:40","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T02:12:40","slug":"caring-futures-institute-statement-on-royal-commission-into-aged-care-quality-and-safety-interim-report%e2%80%af","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/caring-futures-institute\/2019\/11\/01\/caring-futures-institute-statement-on-royal-commission-into-aged-care-quality-and-safety-interim-report%e2%80%af\/","title":{"rendered":"Caring Futures Institute statement on Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety interim report\u202f"},"content":{"rendered":"

T<\/span>he interim report<\/a> of the Royal <\/a><\/span>Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety<\/span>\u00a0describes\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0system that must be urgently changed<\/span>, with<\/span>\u00a0systemic failures in access to services, substandard care delivery, a lack of leadership, and regulatory processes that are not fit for purpose.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These issues are exacerbated by an overworked, underpaid and poorly trained workforce and the need for a sustained and strategic approach to change according to the Caring Futures Institute<\/a> at Flinders University.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the interim report has highlighted three areas for immediate action, there are also clear signals that the final report will seek to comprehensively address the design, objectives, regulation and funding of aged care in Australia<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew Flinders Fellow Professor\u00a0<\/a><\/span>Julie\u00a0<\/span>Ratcliffe<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>says the interim report contains\u00a0<\/span>heartfelt stories of neglect and poor care and statistics which indicate that there are fundamental problems.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvidence-based practice is the key to achieving transformational change and the improv<\/span>ement\u00a0<\/span>in outcomes for the most vulnerable in our society including people in aged care. Translation and impactful r<\/span>esearch is badly needed to support the culture change that is needed. The Caring Futures Institute is working in partnership with aged care consumers, service providers and policy makers to deliver new consumer focused metrics urgently needed for measuring and improving quality of care and quality of life,\u201d says Professor <\/span>Ratcliffe<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInvestment in a skilled and capable workforce is essential.\u00a0 Training\u202fand education are critical and should be based on best practice evidence and on the best evidence about workforce development and organisational change.\u201d\u202f<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Caring Futures Institute is the first fully dedicated research institute in Australia to commit to unravelling the complexities and practicalities around care \u2013 and several of its researchers have already provided submissions or evidence at Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearings.\u202f<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The interim report and publicly available transcripts give an indication of key areas of research priority in Australian aged care systems.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0Equally important are the underlying processes such as knowledge translation and implementation strategies that will embed change and drive innovation to provide new frames of reference for the future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The potential for meaningful digital solutions\u00a0<\/span>to enhance<\/span>\u00a0better consumer outcomes is an area of focus for the Caring Futures Institute.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is great scope for better development and application of digital tools that would lead to more effective community and consumer experiences as well as improved quality of life outcomes for older Australians<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0said Professor Ratcliffe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The interim report also highlights that palliative care and end-of-life experiences for older Australians is an issue.\u00a0 Skilled and experienced staff with more time to provide care and communicate with older Australians and their families about end of life needs and preferences is critical.\u202f<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Caring Futures Institute can significantly contribute to the knowledge about what works in the context of Australian health and aged care systems, as we work towards person-centred, flexible and culturally appropriate end-of-life care in both residential and home care services<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d said<\/span>\u00a0Professor Ratcliffe.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers at the Caring Futures Institute will be keenly awaiting next year\u2019s final report and hope to see strong recommendations around workforce and service development, a comprehensive evaluation framework, strategic research priorities, community engagement, revised training programs, and minimum requirements for technology in aged care.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Caring Futures Institute\u00a0<\/span><\/b>recommendations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n