The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is holding its final hearing to hear submissions from Counsel Assisting on 22 and 23 October 2020.
How can I attend?
The Counsel Assisting's Final Submissions Hearing is a virtual hearing with no public access but is available to view or listen to here and on the Royal Commission website. The hearing commenced at 9:30 am (AEDT) on Thursday, 22 October 2020.
It can be replayed through the Royal Commission webcast. There's a stream with captions and a listen-only stream too.
What is it about?
For the final hearing, Senior Counsel Assisting, Peter Gray QC and Peter Rozen QC will both present submissions on behalf of the Counsel Assisting team over the two days. Counsel intend to submit recommendations for the consideration of the Commissioners, and for any response by interested parties, on all material aspects of the work of the Royal Commission save for long-term financing options. A process of consultation on financing options remains in progress.
Counsel will not repeat the submissions they made on workforce on 26 February 2020 and on program redesign on 4 March 2020 but will address workforce and program design topics that were not covered in those submissions.
There will be an opportunity for interested parties to make written submissions in response to Counsel Assisting's final submissions. Responding submissions will be required to be made by 12 November 2020. There will be no extensions of time granted. Details on the form and length of such submissions will be announced by the Commissioners at the hearing.
Live stream
Audio Only
Media Coverage
ABC News
Key points:
The commission heard there had been an estimated 2,520 incidents of "unlawful sexual contact" in 2018-19
It also heard there was a clear connection between staffing levels and quality of care at aged care homes
One of the recommendations from the counsel assisting is for mandated staffing ratios in residential aged care
Sydney Morning Herald
A royal commission has heard an estimated 50 sexual assaults are occurring in aged care facilities nationwide per week with lawyers calling for a shake-up of the sector that includes mandated staffing ratios, the compulsory registration of workers and a new independent watchdog.
After two and half years of hearings that have included appalling tales of neglect, counsel has submitted 124 recommendations to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety on Thursday.
The proposed reforms also include a new Aged Care Act that would enshrine the universal right of older people to quality, safe and timely care of their own choosing.
Read more: 'National shame': Aged care inquiry hears of high levels of sexual assaults
Transcripts
Day 1 - Thursday 22 October
22 October 2020 – Transcript [DOCX]22 October 2020 – Transcript [PDF]Day 2 - Friday 23 October
Contact
Aged Care Royal Commission
Phone: 1800 960 711Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web: agedcare.royalcommission.gov.auRead our full directory listing.More information
We have been covering the Aged Care Royal Commission since it started so you can read more about previous hearings and reports below.
Aged Care Commission looks at Home CareRoyal Commission investigates interfaces between aged care and health Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety - Sydney Hearing 5Prime Minister responds to Aged Care Royal Commission's Interim Report Aged Care Royal Commission Interim reportRoyal commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety - Melbourne Hearing 4Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety - Sydney Hearings 2 and 3 transcripts available National Survey Results - Australia talks about Older Age and Aged CareRoyal Commission into Aged Care
