Banksia welcomes Royal Commission into aged care

Banksia Villages (Banksia) welcomes the announcement from Prime Minister Scott Morrison for a Royal Commission into aged care quality and safety. This announcement follows a string of disturbing and confronting reports in the media about breakdowns and neglect in aged care that has caused harm to residents and heartbreak for families and brought an entire sector in question.

The Royal Commission provides a valuable opportunity for an independent, transparent and structured analysis of breakdowns and failures in the sector and will reveal the extent to which these problems are systemic or isolated. Banksia acknowledges the reports in the media and shares the concern and outrage felt across the community where vulnerable people have been let down by inexcusable breakdowns in care. However, point out that the performance of these providers in no way reflects any of Banksia’s values or operations.

Banksia is a community owned, not for profit and charitable organisation and has been providing retirement living and aged care services to the local community for more than 20 years. Banksia employs more than 80 people and has a motivated and focussed team of governors, managers, clinical staff, care workers, maintenance and administrative staff with the single mission of providing the highest levels of service, care and facilities to Banksia’s residents and clients. Banksia has a long history of performance and has never failed any aspect of the accreditation and compliance framework, either in residential aged care or community care. However, Banksia does not view compliance as the benchmark for performance. Rather, Banksia measures its performance through the delivery of person centred, tailored and flexible care and services and the outcomes achieved for residents and clients and their families.

Banksia is accountable across all aspects of its operations and welcomes any questions from residents, clients, family and friends, the regulators and, in due course, the Royal Commission. Banksia encourages any persons with questions or concerns about any aspect of its operations to bring them forward by contacting our care team managers or senior management team. Additionally, organisations such as the Senior Rights Service or the Older Persons Advocacy Network provide a valuable service and may be able to assist. Government also have a structured and robust system of reporting and responding to any concerns, including the Australian Aged Care Complaints Commissioner. Contact details are provided below.

Banksia has engaged in the government’s call for suggestions on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission and will make a submission to the Royal Commission in due course. Banksia will also participate in discussion and communication with stakeholders to ensure engagement in this very important community debate.