Aged Care Royal Commission Cleaning Recommendations

Aged Care Royal Commission leads to new cleaning recommendations

'Care, Dignity and Respect', the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, was published on 26 February 2021.

Following consideration of more than 10,500 submissions and evidence from over 600 witnesses, the Commission made recommendations to improve Australia's aged care system, many of which will be adopted and mandated by the Commonwealth Government over the course of the next 2 years.

Recommendations

The findings of the Commission show a clear focus on increasing quality of life through improving the safety and cleaning standards in Australia's aged care system. The following are some examples of those recommendations:

• Recommendation 19: Amendment of the Aged Care Quality Standards to require best practice in respect of various healthcare requirements, including infection prevention and control, and in general, higher quality palliative care in residential aged care;

• Recommendation 21: Amendment of the Aged Care Quality Standards with a focus on care delivery and in particular the quality of life of people receiving care;

• Recommendation 35: Implementation, development and support of care at home services which provide, among other things, a form of entitlement based on cleaning and self care needs;

• Recommendation 76: Increased focus on the development of career opportunities in the aged care sector for non-direct workers such as cleaners; and
• Recommendation 118: The implementation of subsidies for service provision within the care at home category, providing entitlements to care based on needs such as support with cleaning and other daily activities.

Compliance through Rubbermaid

At Rubbermaid, we support the new high standards being implemented as a result of the Commission's recommendations, as we view the care afforded to our older generations as of the utmost importance. The commercial cleaning products we have developed are well suited to help our customers meet those new standards, through achieving and maintaining cleanliness and in turn increasing infection prevention.

Products and their application

Our HYGEN Disposable Microfibre System features innovative technology that offers superior cleaning performance. The HYGEN Disposable Microfibre Mop Pads ensure high-level infection prevention and remove 99.9% of tested microbes, viruses and bacteria. In general, our products help prevent cross-contamination and lower the risk of healthcare associated infections.

With an increased focus being placed on both standards of cleanliness and infection prevention in aged care, and supporting the roles of cleaners within the aged care system, our versatile and user-friendly products are essential to efficient and effective compliance.

At Rubbermaid, we are proud to be able to do our part for our vulnerable older generations. We welcome the recommendations made by the Commission and look forward to a future that ensures care, dignity and respect, for those in aged care.



Please visit our Aged Care resources page for further information on our infection prevention cleaning products.

The Final Report of 2018 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is published here.