Commonwealth Ombudsman Iain Anderson has issued a 'Public Statement' claiming Star Ratings are not "sufficiently meaningful" to help people make informed decisions about aged care services.
Commonwealth Ombudsman
He wrote compliance failings are only reflected in Star Ratings when the Australian Government's Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission issues a formal compliance regulatory notice against the home.
"This means that in some instances the Commission may find a provider is not meeting the required standards, potentially for an extended period, but its star rating does not change," the Ombudsman said.
He is also concerned the system is overly complex and difficult to navigate on the My Aged Care website, and data, in part obtained from third parties, may not always be accurate.
In January, Dr Rodney Jilek, Managing Director of dementia and disability care specialist Community Home Australia, issued a report noting the concerns about regulatory actions not being reflected in Star Ratings, claiming there is "little correlation" between Star Ratings and the actual performance of aged care homes.
This week, Dr Jilek said, "The star rating system remains an absolute farce that fails to accurately and transparently show aged care performance."
Managing Director, Community Home Australia
In response to negative media reporting on the Star Ratings system, in February the Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC) awarded Allen and Clarke Consulting a $579,472 contract to conduct an 'Independent evaluation of Star Ratings'. In recent months, the Government has launched a $4 million advertising campaign to raise awareness of Star Ratings.
Because the DOHAC is reviewing the system, the Ombudsman said he won't undertake a "formal investigation", but he "encouraged the department to consider and act on my concerns" and he said he hopes the statement reassures the public the issue is being monitored.
A Star Rating system was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to help consumers make informed decisions about aged care.
