THE royal commission into Australia's aged care sector is coming to Mudgee with the public and providers being urged to have their say.
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The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Mudgee hearing will run November 4-6 and it will be the only hearing in regional NSW.
Ahead of the hearing, a series of community meetings will be held in Mudgee and Dubbo this month to provide more information and encourage people to make a submission.
"These meetings will give the public the chance to discuss the strengths, challenges and opportunities to improve aged care in regional areas," a commission spokeswoman said.
"The royal commission wants to hear from a range of people who've had an experience with aged care, be it good, bad or indifferent.
"Come along and find out more about what the commission is about, what we're investigating and why we want people to make submissions."
The royal commission wants to hear from a range of people who've had an experience with aged care, be it good, bad or indifferent.
- Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety spokeswoman
The spokeswoman said the public, aged care workers, providers and also those who once worked in the industry but are now retired are urged to give input at the community meetings.
"Any experience, view or ideas for improvement that people may have, we're really interested in hearing about those," she said.
Earlier this year Calare MP Andrew Gee warned that people should be prepared to hear more shocking and appalling cases of neglect and mistreatment.
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A Central West aged care nurse told Australian Community Media that she had been the victim of inappropriate touching and assault by residents.
In March this year, Pioneer House Aged Care in Mudgee had sanctions imposed on it after allegedly failing to adequately provide for residents. In May its CEO stepped down.
Meanwhile, Parkes aged care resident Valda Gosper praised her treatment to the Parkes Champion Post and said: "I often wonder if I'm treated any better than the queen".
For anyone unable to attend the community meetings or the Mudgee hearing, submissions to the commission can be made online, by mail or by phone. Visit the submission page or call 1800 960 711 to find out more.
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So far 5805 submissions have been received by the commission so far, with a further 3547 people calling the commission's information line.
The commission will continue to accept submissions until at least the end of September 2019.
An interim report of the commission's findings is due out in October, with the final report to be delivered in late April, 2020.
Upcoming community meetings
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will hold 18 community meetings. They run on the house for 50 minutes.
Dubbo: Milestone Hotel, 195 Macquarie Street
- Monday, September 16: 3pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm
- Tuesday, September 18: 9am, 10am, 11am and 12noon
- Wednesday, September 18: 9am, 10am and 11am
Mudgee: Club Mudgee, 99 Mortimer Street
- Monday, September 16: 4pm, 5pm and 6pm
- Tuesday, September 17: 9am, 10am, 11am and 12noon
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