3 March 2021
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety published its Final Report, entitled “Care, Dignity and Respect” on Monday 1 March 2021. We welcome the Royal Commission’s Final Report and its recommendations, which come at the end of nearly 100 days of hearings, over 10,000 submissions, 12 community forum events, 13 roundtable events, and 34 aged care service visits.
If you would like to read the Final Report, you can access it on the Aged Care Royal Commission website.
As part of the Final Report, the Commissioners made 148 recommendations for reforming the aged care sector. You can view the recommendations on the Aged Care Royal Commission website.
Regis supported the work of the Royal Commission by making ten submissions and Regis Chief Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Linda Mellors made an appearance to give evidence at the Sydney Hearing in September last year. Many of the recommendations we identified or supported in our submissions to the Royal Commission have been reflected in the Commissioners’ recommendations.
Regis has a 30 year history of providing a high standard of care and services for our residents and clients, as well as strong supports for our workforce. As one of Australia’s largest aged care providers, we are committed to being a leader in the sector and embracing the reform. Putting older people at the centre of the system will drive the urgent changes required. This system includes Government, Government departments, regulatory agencies, health and social care providers, older people, advocates and aged care providers.
Regis thanks our community for their feedback during the Royal Commission, and especially to those residents, clients, families and employees who provided valuable and constructive comments for our submissions to the Royal Commission.
“I am grateful for the work of the Commission in identifying the fundamental reforms required to better support older people and their families, and the people who work hard to care and support them. Regis looks forward to the Australian Government’s response to the recommendations.
You can read about the improvements Regis has made over recent years in our annual report. This includes important information about clinical and corporate governance systems, and our training and support programs for our employees. We will continue to work with consumers, Government and stakeholders on the further reforms needed to deliver consistently high quality and safe care to all older people.
I joined Regis in the middle of the Royal Commission and it has been difficult to hear the reflections on the sector and especially the cases of poor care and neglect. My heart goes out to those older people and their families who did not receive the care or services they deserved. I made a purposeful decision to move into aged care services at this time to lead Regis through major system reform. It is a privilege and serious responsibility to care for older people. It is also deeply rewarding work. Our team at Regis is firmly committed to the needed sector reform and delivering these improvements to our residents, clients, families and employees.”
Linda Mellors, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
