Key points
- A re-elected Andrews Government will review the minimum quality and safety standards in the Victorian aged care sector.
- The review will include the Victorian laws and regulations controlling administration and management of medications
- The Victorian Andrews Government review is separate to the Federal Morrison Government’s Royal Commission into aged care
- The Victorian Andrews Government review is also separate to the ANMF’s national campaign to make nurse/carer to resident ratios law.
ANMF (Vic Branch) has welcomed news that a re-elected Andrews Government will review the state law controlling medication administration and management in Victoria’s private and not-for-profit nursing homes.
ANMF has long called for a review of the state Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and the Drugs and Poisons Act and Regulations 2017.
While residential aged care is a federal government responsibility under the Aged Care Act 1997, the federal law requires nursing home providers comply with their state and territory drugs and poisons legislation and regulations.
Premier Daniel Andrews has committed to review the minimum quality and safety standards, including the administration and management of medication, in the Victorian aged care sector by 30 June 2019.
The review will have regard to:
- registered nurses’, enrolled nurses’ and personal care workers’ accredited education and capability
- impact on public hospitals and health services
- research and contemporary reports
- promotion of independence for those with cognitive capacity
- residents complex care needs.
The review of the drugs and poisons law is separate to the Federal Morrison Government’s Royal Commission into aged care.
The review is also separate to the ANMF’s national campaign to change the federal aged care act to include nurse/carer to resident ratios.
ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said: ‘Having a close look at Victoria’s aged care sector, accredited education and training, the state’s drugs and poisons law and the intersection and impact on public hospitals will lead to better resident care.
‘The Andrews Government understands we don’t need to wait years for the recommendations of a Royal Commission to take steps now improve the safety and care of people who live in residential aged care in Victoria.
‘We need a leader who will act because countless inquiries, reports and recommendations gathering dust tell us complications in clinical care, including medication administration errors, feature in the preventable and premature deaths of aged care residents.’
Authorised by Lisa Fitzpatrick, Secretary, ANMF (Vic Branch), 535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
