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The Aged Care Rating System launch

on Thursday, April 17, 2014

A timely effort towards greater transparency.

More than 80 delegates from the aged care industry turned out for the official launch of the Aged Care Ratings System (ACRS) yesterday, from facility managers and financial planners to allied health service providers and local media.

Aged Care Online managing director Ben Hannemann headed the proceedings, explaining the functionality of the rating system for both consumers and providers.

Fellow co-founder of the ACRS and strategic expert Cam Ansell followed on to present the system within the context of current industry climates, including the new wave of aged care investment preceding the Commonwealth aged care reforms effective from July.

Mr Ansell said a successful rating system should measure physical form, with components for resident activities and staff culture – but not care itself, because of its nature of subjectivity.

Divisional director of reverse mortgages at Macquarie Group Martin Lynch spoke on the reasons behind Macquarie’s sponsorship of the ACRS.

Mr Lynch said the idea of a rating system for aged care fits perfectly with the Commonwealth government’s Living Longer, Living Better reform in its efforts to improve transparency within the sector.

The rating system’s third co-founder, Dana Sawyer, drew on her background as the founder of a leading aged care placement consultancy to speak on behalf of the consumer.

Ms Sawyer said the advent of a rating system will empower members of the community to make the right choice for their specific needs.

General manager for client relationships at BlueCross Julie Maya concluded with a speech on the experience of BlueCross, as the provider chosen to pilot the ACRS.

Ms Maya said the ratings recieved under the new system gave BlueCross a "health check" - an opportunity to compare what they think they are achieving with reality.

Speakers and guests reconvened after the session over drinks, canapes and a lively discussion of the new ratings system.

All were excited at the prospect of a benchmark tool that will clarify the message providers wish to send to their consumers.

Hear what some of the attendees had to say:

 

And catch the session in full:

 

Image: Ben Hannemann with Victorian state head and division director at Macquarie Group Jason Feredey. CREDIT: ALICE B.

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