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Aotearoa New Zealand’s First Aged Care Commissioner
New Zealanders are living longer. By 2034, just over a fifth of our total population around 1.2 million people – will be 65 and over.
arolyn Cooper’s appointment as Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Aged Care Commissioner on 14 March 2022 follows lobbying to the Government from many groups in the aged care sector that recognised the necessity for this very important role.
“It’s an honour to be appointed Aotearoa’s first Aged Care Commissioner,” said Carolyn.
Carolyn brings experience from across the health sector in New Zealand and Australia, including executive leadership roles in several district health boards. This places her in an excellent position to influence and provide leadership to the aged care sector and wider health system.
“We all have the right to make informed decisions and give informed consent for health and disability services, and to receive an appropriate standard of care that meets our needs
and upholds our dignity and mana. “Some older people are part of our most vulnerable communities. I’m committed to advocating on their behalf and for their whānau, so they have confidence in the quality of care and quality of life,” she said. Although many older people are living healthier lives for longer, demand for aged care services will increase. Aged care services are wide ranging and include geriatric medicine, mental health for older people, dementia care and palliative care. Aged care also includes general health services to maintain the health and independence of older people, either in aged residential care facilities, or community CAROLYN COOPER support services providing home based care. Baby boomers – often referred to as ‘disruptors’ of the aged care sector will have a significant impact on the shape of aged care services. Their expectations of dignity, community,
independence and flexibility means the sector must adapt. How it responds to meet increased demand and these expectations about the range and delivery of aged care services will be crucial.
“We must work across the entire sector, learning from other industries on how to become more innovative to meet the changing demands of older people, while also supporting the Government’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“We are hearing greater oversight is needed to drive quality improvement and protect people’s rights when receiving aged care services. The current quality and safety system for the sector is fragmented, and can be complicated to navigate.
“Several reports have identified issues such as complexity of the complaints process, lack of visibility for services provided by home and community support providers, and people feeling fearful of repercussions from speaking out,” said Carolyn.
Carolyn says there are also things to learn from the international scene. “It’s important to be up to date on issues affecting the aged care sector internationally.”
“The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in Australia was set up to look at the quality of aged care services and whether those services are meeting the needs of the Australian community.
“There are some common themes in the challenges faced in Aotearoa and Australia for the aged care sector, particularly in regards to the challenges of an aging population with a greater complexity of need, the significant pressure the aged care workforce is under, and the need to place older people and their whānau at the centre of the system.
‘’We have the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights in New Zealand, which underpins our work to promote and protect consumers’ rights in the health and disability sector.
“There is currently no such code to guide the work of our Aussie counterparts, so it’s important we maintain our focus on a New Zealand context,” said Carolyn.
The Aged Care Commissioner is located in the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC), the independent kaitiaki for consumers’ rights in the health and disability sector.
While the role sits under the HDC, it complements the work of other agencies who provide a broader focus on the wellbeing of all older people including, Ministry of Health, HealthCERT, Office for Seniors, Human Rights Commission, Retirement Commission and the Ombudsman.
Carolyn said; “The collaborative relationships HDC has with these agencies are vital in our work to respond to emerging system-level issues, and to work together to address them.
“Our complaints processes must be culturally appropriate, reach people who may be less likely to raise concerns and ensure equity of access to quality health and disability services.”
“I look forward to working with the Health and Disability Commissioner, consumers and providers to drive quality improvement, and encourage collaboration and positive change across the sector.
“Fairness and doing the right thing have always been central to my approach and I carry these values into this role.
“I bring an optimistic and pragmatic approach to the challenges this sector faces to make a tangible difference through collaboration and initiating quality improvements,” said Carolyn.
