Following meetings between South Australian Parliamentarians and Care Protect representatives over recent weeks, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has announced a 12-month pilot of the UK-company’s cutting-edge surveillance and monitoring systems in five state owned elderly care facilities.
In the wake of the Oakden nursing home scandal, The South Australian Government is investing $500,000 in this trial with the goal of promoting high quality care services. This pilot follows discussions between Scott Sterling of Care Protect and the Federal Government Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt MP. on the use of surveillance technology to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable people living in Australian Care Homes.
Care Protect is not a conventional, 24hour continuously recording CCTV system. It is an ‘untoward events’, consent-based triggered recording system, with subsequent email alerting capability, allowing for a review of the ‘event’ by external, independent, experienced health and social care professionals within minutes of an event occurring. The unique element of the system is every single day two hourly quality monitoring period, specifically assessing care delivery and standards.
Care Protect already operates a dedicated monitoring hub staffed on a 24/7 basis by nurses and social workers. It is those professionals and newly appointed colleagues that will oversee the Australian care homes confirmed today. They will assist care home teams to improve safeguarding practices and ensure peace of mind for families.
Premier Steven Marshall said: “In the shadow of Oakden and the Commonwealth Aged Care Royal Commission, protecting South Australia’s most vulnerable is one of my Government’s highest priorities,”
“This CCTV pilot will strengthen the safeguards in place for our frail, older population, provide greater transparency than ever before and hopefully give families greater peace of mind that their loved ones are receiving quality care.”
Scott Sterling, said: “We are delighted to be supporting The South Australian Government in trialling this programme, which we believe has the capacity to consign events such as the Oakden nursing home scandal to the history books.
“Care Protect provides a non-intrusive, consent activated CCTV system which can be used to record instances of abuse or neglect. Its operation in care facilities across the UK is delivering compelling results.
“We look forward to continuing to support and work with The South Australian Government and care providers across Australia to not just reduce the incidence of elder abuse and neglect, but to deliver consistent high-quality standards of care.”