‘Profit before people’: The horrors an aged care royal commission could unveil

The federal government has called a royal commission into the aged care industry, following ongoing reports of elder abuse.

The major inquiry will investigate the extent of problems within residential and in-home aged care facilities.

There are particular concerns about staff-to-patient ratios and the type of education needed to qualify to work in the sector.

It’s expected the royal commission will cost around $75 million but the government is yet to settle on terms of reference.

National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke tells John Stanley the royal commission will encourage aged-care residents, family and staff to come forward and “say what they really think”.

“We’ve seen royal commissions do a lot of good work in the past,” he says.

“You might remember when Julia Gillard called the royal commission into institutionalised abuse (against) children… very quickly people came forward with their stories and very quickly the action started happening.”

Mr Henschke tells John he’s been contacted by an aged care worker, who says profit is being placed before people.

“Once the permission’s been given for people to come out and tell their stories, then I can tell you people actually want to be involved.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview

News of the royal commission sparked a flood of open-line calls, with listeners revealing their experiences.

Caller Ken tells John he removed his mum from one nursing home after she suffered severe dehydration and needed to be hospitalised.

“I got a letter of apology to myself, not mum. Myself.”

Click PLAY below to hear the shocking stories from Ken