Senator Lees asked the Minister representing the Minister for Family Services, upon notice, on 22 May 1996:

(1) Is the Minister aware of the negative reports, recently documented in the Sydney Morning Herald, surrounding the conditions and

care of residents in some nursing homes.

(2) Were these breaches picked up by the current Commonwealth monitoring process; if so, what action was taken.

(3) How long is it before it is expected that these nursing homes will meet residential care standards.

(4) How many complaints have been received from residents of nursing homes or their families on a state by state basis.

Senator Newman — The Minister for Family Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question.

(1) Yes. Most information cited in the Sydney Morning Herald was taken from statements of information published by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services following outcome standards monitoring visits.

As reported one third of all nursing homes in NSW meet all the 31 criteria and fully comply with the Commonwealth standards. This does not, of itself, however present a clear or fair picture of the actual quality of care provided. For example, a home might be marked down against criteria relating to building design or structure because of its age, yet provide very good care in a safe environment because of its practices and the commitment of staff.

Where homes do not meet standards to the extent that there is a serious threat to residents' health and welfare and the proprietor is either not willing or able to comply with the standards, a declaration can be made under the National Health Act 1953 that the home does not satisfy standards. Currently there are only 41 out of 1450 (3%) Commonwealth funded nursing homes which have been declared. Nursing homes declared as not satisfying the standards may also be subject to financial and other sanctions. In the last resort, a home may have its approval revoked thereby ceasing to be eligible to receive Commonwealth funding.

(2) In some instances specific matters raised in the articles were up to two years old and related to issues which had been investigated and have been resolved satisfactorily or are being addressed by Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services officers.

(3) Nursing homes which do not satisfy standards are treated on a case by case basis with Commonwealth officers working closely with proprietors to ensure their standards of care improve. The Government is committed to quality of care in nursing homes and where improvements do not occur action, including imposition of sanctions, will be taken.

(4) Nursing Home Complaints Received Calendar Year 1995