Promised Aged Care Commissioner now urgent, says Grey Power

Grey Power Federation President Mac Welch has called on the Government to urgently honour a pre-election promise and appoint an Aged Care Commissioner.

Welch said the need for someone with sufficient legal authority to require rest homes and others in the aged-care industry to maintain adequate standards of security was highlighted by a recent tragic case of elder abuse in a rest home.

‘‘The majority of rest homes provide very good service and it is only in a small minority where elderly vulnerable people are at risk of abuse or neglect.

‘‘We urgently need someone with an overview of the industry and the authority to require best practice performance.’’

The matter will be discussed at the Federation’s annual general meeting in May.

‘‘We don’t like disputes with Government. We much prefer to work with them to achieve common goals but the safety and security of vulnerable elderly people takes priority over all other considerations,’’ he said.