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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/25/aged-care-minister-open-to-security-cameras-in-nursing-homes
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| CCTV cameras in nursing homes of some value says aged-care minister | CCTV cameras in nursing homes of some value says aged-care minister |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Aged-care minister Ken Wyatt is open to placing security cameras in all nursing home rooms so any potential abuses can be detected. | Aged-care minister Ken Wyatt is open to placing security cameras in all nursing home rooms so any potential abuses can be detected. |
| Wyatt is also supportive of a star-rating system for residential aged-care facilities, ahead of a royal commission into the sector, which will begin by the end of this year. | Wyatt is also supportive of a star-rating system for residential aged-care facilities, ahead of a royal commission into the sector, which will begin by the end of this year. |
| However, the federal government has distanced itself from a union proposal to legislate staffing levels. | However, the federal government has distanced itself from a union proposal to legislate staffing levels. |
| The minister believes were it not for secret cameras hidden in aged-care suites by family members, several high-profile cases of violence and neglect would never have come to light. | The minister believes were it not for secret cameras hidden in aged-care suites by family members, several high-profile cases of violence and neglect would never have come to light. |
| He acknowledges there are privacy concerns around installing mandatory cameras, but says the discussion is not off the table. | He acknowledges there are privacy concerns around installing mandatory cameras, but says the discussion is not off the table. |
| “I can appreciate the families who are very strongly supportive now of cameras within those rooms,” Wyatt told ABC radio on Tuesday, a day after Four Corners broadcast hidden camera footage from inside aged-care facilities. | “I can appreciate the families who are very strongly supportive now of cameras within those rooms,” Wyatt told ABC radio on Tuesday, a day after Four Corners broadcast hidden camera footage from inside aged-care facilities. |
| “None of this would have been known – without that footage – as to how those individuals were treated.” | “None of this would have been known – without that footage – as to how those individuals were treated.” |
| The minister is on board with an aged care star-rating system similar to the My School website, which profiles almost 10,000 Australian schools. | The minister is on board with an aged care star-rating system similar to the My School website, which profiles almost 10,000 Australian schools. |
| Wyatt said the majority of aged-care facilities provide quality service, but there is an “insidious” side to some centres which the public does not see. | Wyatt said the majority of aged-care facilities provide quality service, but there is an “insidious” side to some centres which the public does not see. |
| A rating system would be considered, similar to that operating in the UK, he said. | A rating system would be considered, similar to that operating in the UK, he said. |
| Wyatt is also considering ordering safety and compliance officers to perform unannounced night-time spot checks on residential centres, to make sure the number of staff and levels of care are adequate. | Wyatt is also considering ordering safety and compliance officers to perform unannounced night-time spot checks on residential centres, to make sure the number of staff and levels of care are adequate. |
| Submissions to the aged-care royal commission close on Tuesday. | Submissions to the aged-care royal commission close on Tuesday. |
| The minister will then hold a series of meetings to finalise the terms of reference and identify the commissioners, with a view to kicking off the inquiry this year. | The minister will then hold a series of meetings to finalise the terms of reference and identify the commissioners, with a view to kicking off the inquiry this year. |
| The prime minister, Scott Morrison, says the commission will investigate staffing levels, but pointed out two previous inquiries into the sector rejected minimum requirements. | The prime minister, Scott Morrison, says the commission will investigate staffing levels, but pointed out two previous inquiries into the sector rejected minimum requirements. |
| “But you know, it’s not for me to pre-judge what the royal commission thinks is a good way to go forward,” he told reporters in Sydney. | “But you know, it’s not for me to pre-judge what the royal commission thinks is a good way to go forward,” he told reporters in Sydney. |
| Morrison said Australians were increasingly going into residential aged care at a much more acute level of need, and high standards were important. | Morrison said Australians were increasingly going into residential aged care at a much more acute level of need, and high standards were important. |
| Council on the Ageing’s Ian Yates said the commission must investigate appropriate penalties for neglect, excessive restraint and abuse in residential aged care. | Council on the Ageing’s Ian Yates said the commission must investigate appropriate penalties for neglect, excessive restraint and abuse in residential aged care. |
| Yates said the inquiry must also examine the need for more effective monitoring of staff and use of CCTV cameras. | Yates said the inquiry must also examine the need for more effective monitoring of staff and use of CCTV cameras. |
| He wants older Australians and their families to be able to easily see the history of complaints and serious incidents levelled against nursing homes, to guide their decision-making. | He wants older Australians and their families to be able to easily see the history of complaints and serious incidents levelled against nursing homes, to guide their decision-making. |
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