By Stephanie Holliday
THE new Code of Conduct for Aged Care was introduced on December 1 2022. After thorough consultation, it has been implemented to improve the safety, health, wellbeing and lifestyle for people receiving aged care, and to bolster trust in services to help build confidence in the safety and quality of care for older Australians.
Developed by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care in response to recommendations of the aged care royal commission, the code will be regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. It has been based on the existing National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Code of Conduct.
The Code sets out standards of expected behaviours and applies equally to approved aged care providers and their governing persons (e.g. board members).
It also applies to aged care workers who are employed or otherwise engaged by the provider, employed or otherwise engaged by a contractor or subcontractor of the provider to provide care or other services to consumers. This includes volunteers.
The Code applies to approved providers of residential, home care and flexible care services. Flexible care includes the transition care program, multi-purpose services program and short-term restorative care program.
A copy of the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Act 2022 is available at this web address for further reading www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2022A00034.
