“Too afraid”: aged care abuse allegations highlight need for better protections for whistle-blowers

This week, we’ve been following the story of an anonymous whistle-blower who called up 6PR last weekend to report that residents at two facilities south of Perth could be at risk of elder abuse. 

Using an alias, “John” said that he had concerns about two aged care workers based on what his partner and friend, who work in the system, had told him – but both were too afraid to come forward. 

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt quickly responded to remind families – as well as nurses and carers –that any concerns should be raised with the aged care home. If the issues isn’t addressed or they are uncomfortable raising it, then they should contact the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner – anonymously if necessary. 

But after doing some research on the protections available to whistle-blowers, we do understand why the workers are reluctant to come forward. 

A safer way to blow the whistle 

The fact is while workplace policies encourage anonymous whistleblowing, Australia’s Corporations Act protects only whistle-blowers that are willing to identify themselves.  

The first Australian study by Griffith University, Australian National University, University of Sydney into whistle-blowing, also found that while 90 per cent of organisations have policies in place to respond to anonymous whistle-blowing, only 16 per cent had any measure to ensure adequate compensation for whistle-blowers. 

Some providers are working to ensure that staff can report concerns without fear of retribution. Aged care provider Estia now has an independent whistle-blower hotline for its workers as well as residents and their families. 

It’s also worth remembering that the vast majority of workers are doing the right thing with many elder abuse cases sadly involve adult children, not care workers. 

However, we do need to make it safer for workers to speak up when they see misconduct and wrongdoing. 

The Federal Government has recently updated our whistle-blower legislation to create a single protection regime which should help. 

But people need to know they can report issues without being identified – and ‘shooting the messenger’. After all, they are doing our society a service – we owe them more. 

You can find more information about elder abuse and where to report it here. 

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.