The AMA calls for improved clinical care standards in aged care
On 25 November the AMA provided a submission to the review of the Aged Care Quality Standards initiated by the Department of Health and Aged Care. Although the consultation was broad and included all aged care standards, the AMA submission focused solely on the clinical care in aged care.
The AMA called on the revised clinical care standard to ensure that:
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clinical governance and accountability is achieved, including through establishment of relevant advisory committees, that must include medical input,
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the standard integrates advance care planning and palliative care,
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consumers understand what clinical care entails is improved, and
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clear lines of responsibility for clinical care are established and evaluated.
The AMA submission insisted that clinical care inside an aged care home cannot be separated from the overall healthcare for an older person. Therefore, policies and procedures must be in place that support effective communication with visiting medical practitioners (GPs and other medical specialists, e.g., geriatricians and psychiatrists) and allied health professionals, including standing orders for individual consumers, and protocols for contact after hours and in emergency situations. The AMA called for these to be enshrined in the Standards.
The AMA submission can be viewed here.
