Engagement with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

I am writing to provide information about opportunities for the Australian public to engage with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety over the coming year, which includes hearings, submissions, and community forums.

Hearings

The Commission has commenced its schedule of hearings, which began with a preliminary hearing in Adelaide on Friday 18 January. The first substantive hearing commenced in Adelaide on 11h February, and continues this week.

The Commission intends to conduct hearings in all capital cities and a number of regional locations. The Commission anticipates hearings will take place in the weeks commencing: 18 March, 6 May, 13 May, 17 June, 24 June, 8 July, 15 July, 29 July, 5 August, 9 September, 8 October, 14 October, 4 November, 11 November and 9 December 2019. The location of each hearing will be announced progressively on the website during the year as arrangements are finalised: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/hearings/. Please note that these dates are subject to change.

Members of the public are invited to attend the public hearings (or view them through the webcast facility on the Commission’s website). Please be aware that seating is limited. Transcripts of the hearings will be available soon after each hearing.

Submissions

The Commission is accepting submissions about the quality and safety of aged care services, the availability and fit of these services for individuals and groups, and opportunities and innovations for the future. Submissions can be made anonymously. A closing date for submissions will be announced in the second half of 2019.

The Commission wishes to ensure that persons receiving aged care services have an opportunity to tell the Commission their experiences of care, benefits and concerns, along with stories from their family members, supporters and carers. The Commission would appreciate your assistance in distributing information about how to make a submission to your constituents or members.

Health professionals, individuals and organisations connected to aged care are also invited to make submissions.

Submissions can be made in the following ways:

• by using the online form: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/submissions/Pages/default.aspx

• by writing to: Royal Commission into Aged Care, GPO Box 1151, Adelaide SA 5001 (submissions can be in the form of a letter)

• by emailing: ACRCenquiries@royalcommission.gov.au

• by telephoning: 1800 960 711 (between 8:00am-8:00pm AEDT Monday-Friday except on public holidays). Interpreter services are available.

Community forums

Community forums will be another way that members of the public may engage with the Commission. Forums will be held in a number of locations around the country. They will be an opportunity for members of the public to hear about the work of the Commission and to offer their ideas on the challenges and strengths of, and the opportunities to improve, aged care.

At each forum a limited number of people will be able to give a brief statement. People will be invited to indicate their interest in doing so during the registration process. Guidelines will be provided to all registered speakers. There will also be a chance to give written feedback to the Commission and to talk to Commission staff at the forums.

The first community forum will run from 1.30 to 4.00 pm on Friday, 1 March 2019, at the Bankstown Sports Club, 8 Greenfield Parade, Bankstown NSW 2200. For more.

The second community forum will run from 1.30 to 4pm on Tuesday, 5 March 2019 at the Bendigo Town Hall, 189-193 Hargreaves St, Bendigo VIC 3550. For more.

Further information

Information on the Commission, the terms of reference, how to make a submission, and future events are available at: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au.

To stay up to date on the work of the Commission please join our mailing list at: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/news/Pages/Mailing-list.aspx. Future advice and announcements will be made through this mailing list.

Yours sincerely

James Popple

Official Secretary

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety