Dr Kerryn Phelps, AMA President - Radio 2GB, with Graham Richardson
RICHARDSON: Kerryn Phelps, the head of the Federal AMA has touched on a very important, and in some ways a very sad issue. And that's keeping couples together once they get into nursing homes. And, she speaks to the National Press Club and she asks how often do you see a double bed in a nursing home? She says separate beds for the aged is inhumane and the separation of couples should be investigated by the Human Rights Commission. She must have hit on something because to quote today's Australian, "industry sources said that while most aged care facilities had share accommodation, very few had double beds because sex was not encouraged".
It's not just about sex is it? It's about the companionship of being close to the person you've been close to for most of your life. Kerryn Phelps' most famous lunching partner, the Federal Health Minister, Michael Wooldridge, has come out today saying that providing double beds to keep couples together in nursing homes, should be commonsense. While he said he didn't see how the Government could provide double beds in the homes, he supports moves to introduce more of them. Kerryn Phelps joins us on the line. Good afternoon, Kerryn.
PHELPS: Hi, Graham.
RICHARDSON: What prompted you to say this? I haven't really heard you talking about nursing homes, before.
PHELPS: The AMA has had a long history of working the aged care area and we're going to be having an Aged Care Summit later this year. And, I felt that it was time with this Press Club speech to actually set out the AMA's public health agenda and, of course, aged care is right at the top of that list with Indigenous health care and public hospitals. I guess, what really brought up this issue of partners being separated was that when you're looking at the issues of aged care I think, like in any area of health, you have to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. And you sit down and ponder the reasons and, from experience in general practice, you see the reasons why people are frightened or upset or worried about not being able to be independent any longer. And being separated from your partner of maybe 50 or 60 years or being on your own in the most vulnerable stage of life is certainly high on the list of the things that make people anxious.
RICHARDSON: I would imagine. What do you think of this reaction that sex is not encouraged? This isn't about sex, is it?
PHELPS: No, but I mean it's a fairly puritanical and pathetic attitude if you ask me. I think, if two older people want to maintain the intimacy of their relationship, cuddle up at night, whether they have sex or not, is their own business.
RICHARDSON: I would have thought so. I found that an amazing reaction, it really surprised me. Aged Care Minister, Bronwyn Bishop, has already rejected your calls for nursing homes to be self-regulated. And, I might say, I rarely agree with Bronwyn Bishop. But, don't you think the spectacular nursing home instances of neglect in the last couple of years would …… against a decision like that?
PHELPS: We already have some areas in the health sector which are self-regulated and which are very successfully done. And, I think that the aged care sector at the moment is clearly not doing well.
RICHARDSON: No, but I think it would reintroduce regulation because we had so many instances of neglect.
PHELPS: Indeed. But, I believe that if quality benchmarks are set, then the industry can self-regulate provided the right stakeholders are involved in that accreditation and policing process.
RICHARDSON: It's not a bad day - we've agreed on one and disagreed on one - that's fair, isn't it?
PHELPS: That's all right, not bad at all.
RICHARDSON: Good on you Kerryn, thanks very much. Kerryn Phelps, I think making a very good point about the closeness that couples would need to feel when they've hit nursing homes. If you've been together with the one partner for 60 years, going to bed with them every night, wouldn't you think you'd be able to do it as you came to the end of your days?
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