Is your aged-care home delivering the best level of care possible? Perhaps you’re not sure, and you’re wondering: how can I tell?
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards have been put in place to clearly define what good care looks like.
All Australian Government-funded aged-care providers need to meet these Quality Standards, and they apply not only to aged-care facilities but also to home-care services and support providers.
Your provider’s performance is independently reviewed and assessed through an audit against the strengthened Quality Standards at the time of provider’s registration renewal by the Commission and you can read the Commission’s reports online. The graded assessment findings will impact an aged care home’s Compliance rating.
The seven Quality Standards range from the purely practical, such as your personal and clinical care; to the managerial and environmental, including your level of comfort and ability to provide feedback.
So what happens if the Quality Standards aren’t being met? If a home receives a major or minor non-conformance during their audit against the strengthened Quality Standards it will receive a Compliance rating of 1 or 2 stars. Homes will then have the possibility of achieving a 3-star Compliance rating after the audit once the non-conformance is resolved.
You can see the full information about star ratings here.
What happens if a regulatory decision is made against my aged care provider?
You can read the details of the decision on the My Aged Care website by viewing the Compliance section of your aged care home’s profile in Find a provider.
Your provider should also arrange a meeting with you and your family members or registered supporter. They should explain the issues and how they will address them by a certain date.
When the Commission or System Governor has found that the issues relating to the non-compliance have been fixed, the provider’s Compliance rating will be updated on the My Aged Care website.
What to do if you have concerns
- Speak to your provider directly.
- Call the National Aged Care Advocacy Program on 1800 700 600.
- Lodge a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, either via their website or by calling 1800 951 822.
Want to check your home’s status? The Government’s non-compliance checker will tell you if an aged-care home or Home Care Package service provider has received a Non-compliance Notice or sanction.
