Four Corners Program on Aged Care
Wednesday 26 September 2018 –
On Monday evening, the second part of the Four Corners aged care investigation was aired. They showed a number of incidents of abuse and neglect of frail and vulnerable residents which were difficult to watch.
CEO, Janna Voloshin, responds:
The Four Corners broadcast was very disturbing and on behalf of Vasey RSL Care, I would like to express my abhorrence of the incidents of ill-treated shown. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members”. This vision is a condemnation of our society.
At Vasey RSL Care, we work hard to achieve our Vision of ‘Excellence in Aged Care’, to ‘serve those who served’, and live up to our Promises of traditional values, security, care, camaraderie, dignity, fulfillment and quality. For those residents who cannot express their own views, there is even greater need for us to look after them with the gentleness and kindness that we would show to the very young.
There is no place for ‘rough handling’, laughing at residents, showing impatience, or any other kind of behaviour that falls short of ‘excellent care’.
I have reaffirmed to all staff in our organisation our duty of care to every single resident. I have requested that staff speak up if they have any concerns, and that managers listen and act on any reports from residents, their representatives, staff or anyone else. We have a solid and effective complaints process in place and a rigorous recruitment process to ensure that all employees understand and demonstrate the ethics and morals expected of them.
In the Four Corners investigation, footage taken by hidden cameras formed most of the evidence. Vasey RSL Care follows current legislation which states that it is illegal to install any type of visual recording device in a private area without the prior knowledge and approval of all parties, meaning residents and staff, and where the resident is not able to make this decision, their decision-maker. As a result of the Four Corners investigation, Federal Aged Care Minister, Ken Wyatt, announced that he is open to discussion of the potential use of security cameras in private areas of aged care residences. Vasey RSL Care will review the procedure relating to the use of surveillance cameras as and when the law changes. No amendments will be made to the current procedure without a thorough consultation process.
This is a very difficult time for the aged care sector where terrible instances of neglect and abuse are taking centre stage. It is dreadful to see this terrible abuse and the helplessness of frail older people. We must all be vigilant and speak up for those who are unable to speak up for themselves.
Tuesday 18 September 2018 –
Last evening, the first of a two-part series about aged care in Australia aired on ABC TV’s Four Corners program. The program resulted from their investigations into the residential aged care sector, which included a public call for people’s experiences with the aged care system.
Janna Voloshin, CEO, responds:
Currently in Australia there are 1.3 million people receiving care services from around 430,000 staff and volunteers. It is our view that the overwhelming majority of people receive a very good standard of care, and this view is supported by the findings of the independent 2017 Carnell Paterson Report into aged care quality.
However, there have been examples of unacceptable failures of care that have caused great distress and harm to older people and their loved ones, as demonstrated in the Four Corners program.
Here at Vasey RSL Care, we believe that all older people who need care and support in residential aged care, and their families, should expect high standards of care, safety and service, delivered with empathy and professionalism.
Our organisation is committed to openness and transparency in relation to the quality of care we provide, and we believe that our industry must be accountable and committed to continuous improvement. We welcome ongoing reforms that will make our industry better, build the capacity of our dedicated staff, and provide the best possible care for older Australians.
If you have any concern about the quality of care you or your loved ones receive here at Vasey RSL Care, I ask you to bring it immediately to my attention and/or refer it to the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner as a matter of urgency.
We believe that our industry requires the Federal Government to reassess its funding model, and this is a good opportunity to highlight the changes taking place and the support that is needed for the aged care sector to deliver the quality of care that we all want and expect for ourselves and our loved ones.
I am aware that some people may find the issues raised by the Four Corners program distressing and I encourage you to contact a member of your care team, if you or your loved ones require any additional support or information.
I assure you of the commitment of Vasey RSL Care to delivering the best possible quality care for all our community members. I invite you to contact me directly if you have any concerns or would like to discuss this matter further.
Janna Voloshin, CEO