The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has created nine new regional offices in the last two years, and is aiming for 50 offices in total as recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The offices do not, generally, provide support to consumers. Instead, they are focused on gaining local insights in rural, remote and regional areas, developing stronger place-based relationships, and working with local stakeholders to improve the quality of aged care services.
"Local presence and engagement ensures that local issues are identified, regional trends are observed, and national policy can be tailored to be responsive to the needs of the community," a spokesperson for the Department told The Weekly SOURCE.
The first opened in May 2022 in Launceston, TAS, the second 14 months later in July 2023 in Wollongong, NSW. Five offices opened in March 2024: Coffs Harbour (NSW), Dubbo (NSW), Port Augusta, (SA), Alice Springs (NT), and Bendigo (VIC). This month, an office opened in Bunbury (WA). An office in Cairns (QLD) is scheduled to open in August.
The offices operate through 'a hub and spoke' model: where a region does not have an office, the area is serviced by teams from a hub assigned to the region. Where there is a physical office, they operate under co-location arrangements with other Commonwealth Government offices.
The offices are staffed with teams of 'engagement officers' who come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Many have close connections to their community and previous aged care experience, and some have allied health or nursing qualifications.
"Recruitment of staff also focuses on those with previous aged care experience," said the spokesperson.
The Department did come in for some criticism during the Royal Commission over the 'disconnect' between Canberra and what was happening on the ground in aged care facilities around the country. Will these offices help to bridge the divide, and can they provide practical support to operators in need?
