The Office of the Interim Inspector-General (IIG) of Aged Care has released its progress report on the implementation of the Aged Care Royal Commission’s recommendations, commending the amount that has been achieved so far, but cautioning that further “slippage” in the timing of future reforms, particularly in home care and the new Aged Care Act, would be “very concerning”.

IIG Ian Yates AM noted that both Royal Commissioners supported consumer contributions to the cost of some components of aged care and recommended a series of changes to consumer contributions and the means test.

Ian noted in the report that in public discourse, “there is general agreement on a balanced approach to financial arrangements that provides an equitable balance between taxpayer and consumer contributions while maintaining safety nets for people with low means.”

The IIG also backed a needs-based system. He “strongly supports Recommendation 41: to move from a system where planning is based on need rather than rationed. The IIG would welcome positive Government consideration to implementing a needs-based framework for the provision of aged care.”

The report highlights where the IIG would like to see further action by the Government.

While the IIG commends the additional funding to support new Home Care Packages and notes that wait times have reduced substantially, “further effort is needed if the Government is to meet the one-month target and the full intent of the recommendation.”

Ian told The SOURCE that stakeholders’ initial responses to the 93-page report have been “positive”. He said the Office of the Inspector-General is “going through a process to settle our first Workplan, which will be for the period 1 January to 30 June 2024, which we are aiming to publish by mid-December 2023."

The SOURCE: The former Chief Executive of COTA and the inaugural Chair of the Council of Elders, Ian Yates, holds considerable sway. The Government is likely to take his feedback on board.