Source: News Limited

A GOVERNMENT report has revealed a huge rise in cases of abuse and mistreatment of the elderly in nursing homes.

Figures obtained for the first time from the industry watchdog show the number of care breaches tripled to almost 4000 in the six months to January.

More cases are investigated in Victoria than any other state.
 
There were 3947 cases probed nationally by aged-care watchdog the Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance from July to December 31 last year - 1447 of them in Victoria.

Victoria is also responsible for more than half of all elderly care inquiries, aged-care standards and external agencies referred to police and the coroner.

Cases investigated include allegations of serious physical assault, medical mismanagement and failed personal care.

The Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance says in NSW there were 929 breaches in aged care homes.

There were 418 sexual and physical assaults on elderly people - 138 occurring in NSW nursing homes.

Details of nursing home accreditation breaches have never before been made public, with the former Howard government refusing to release the damaging information.

The report reveals there were 332 reports of medication management issues where elderly residents were administered an overdose, not given enough pain relief or given incorrect medication.

Police investigated 23 incidents in aged care homes last year, with seven cases referred to the coroner, two to the Nurses Board and 101 to the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (ACSAA).

In response, new Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot said the Government would introduce increased police checks on all staff employed at nursing homes and aged care facilities. As well, government inspections would increase by a third to 7000 a year.

She also pledged to give the ACSAA more powers, after finding it was not an offence for nursing homes to mislead the agency.

"We have a responsibility to care for our nation's frail and aged," she said. "The previous government did not take their responsibility seriously.

"I'll review aspects of the Aged Care Act and its activities to improve care and quality of life for residents."

Previously, nursing homes could hide problems because permission from a provider was required before a government minister could visit a nursing home.

"This means a minister, if they were concerned about residents or wanted to see first-hand what was going on in a facility, would have to give advance warning," Ms Elliot said.

"I've asked my department to urgently examine this measure and report back to fix it."

A more accessible complaints model was one of the drivers of the increased number of reported breaches.

The report found there were 3947 potential breaches in aged care providers' responsibilities across Australia from July 1 to December 31 2007 - an increase from the 2005-06 financial year, when there were 1260 complaints under the former model.