Surveys about ageing usually reveal that what people fear most is not death itself, but rather the loss of personal control that often comes with the ageing process. Such fears are increased when stories of abuse, neglect and gruesome body part games come to light.

In order for the general population to have trust in the aged-care system and to lessen the fear of possible future admittance to a nursing home, certain basic requirements must be in place. These, of course, relate to knowing that facilities are adequately funded and staffed so that quality care is assured.

But there are other safeguards that must also be in place - such things as a well-resourced and truly independent accreditation and monitoring authority, the rigorous investigation of any complaints that are made and a system that does not sustain any conflict of interest. The well-being of the frail, aged person must always be the driver of the system.

At times, the independence of both the Australian Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency and the Complaints Investigation Scheme come into question.

For example, a correspondent to the forum section of this web site notes that there are occasions where nurse consultants employed by facilities also work as assessors for the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency. And sadly, there are heaps of complaints about the old complaints systems and some starting to come in about the new one.

It must be noted that, ‘complaints’ are firmly embedded within the Federal Department of Health and Ageing which has a deep interest in keeping a lid on adverse publicity relating to failures within the system. As does whichever Minister is responsible for the system.

For example, a column in The Australian today gives credit to Christopher Pyne, the previous Minister for Ageing, as ‘neutralising’ aged care as an election issue. That presumably is because he did little and said even less. Remember those oft repeated lines, “Australia has the best aged-care system in the world”!

Recently, the South Australian Coroner, Mark Johns, noted that that doctors who signed off on the death of an aged-care facility resident, were also, indirectly, owners of that facility. Coroner Johns questioned the appropriateness of this action.

o it seems that there is plenty for Justine Elliot, the new Minister for Ageing, to do to ensure that frail people in Australia are not exploited in the interests of others. Let us all hope she gets going on it soon. The last thing Australia needs is another Minister who does not speak up on behalf of those she is supposed to serve.