Media Release
It is clear from the Recommendations and Executive Summary from the Royal Commission into Aged Care that Assistive Technology has a high profile within the proposed reforms.
One of the key Recommendations from the Commission is that from “1 July 2022, the Australian Government should implement an assistive technology and home modifications category within the aged care program.”
In December 2020, ATSA put forward a submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to address the issue of restrictive practices that would, otherwise, have removed choice and control for a participant requiring access to AT. In our submission we recommended participants “be able to apply “choice and control” and can elect to purchase their AT and Home modifications from approved providers other than their home care provider, then claim against their approved package under the terms and values as set out in the new Act.
We are delighted to advise that our voice has been heard and that in the Executive Summary from the Commission, their recommendation is as follows:
“We recommend that the System Governor should develop and implement a new planning regime that replaces the current planning arrangements with planning undertaken both nationally and at the local level. The System Governor should ensure:
- an adequately diverse mix and adequate number of providers to enable older people seeking services to exercise an informed choice, where possible, between available providers… “
We will continue to review the Recommendations from the Royal Commission and monitor the Government’s response on behalf of our Members.
