Aged Care Complaints Hotline for Victoria

The HSU Victorian branch has moved to set up an aged care complaints hotline in the wake of this weeks abuse allegations at the George Vowell centre in Mount Eliza.

'This case demonstrated the need for increased protection for whistleblowers and tighter scrutiny of the industry'.

'Aged care workers are often subjected to bullying and intimidation, they feel unable to speak out against poor conditions for fear of retribution'

'What we are providing with the hotline is an opportunity for employees in the Aged Care industry to call in confidence and report situations in their workplaces such as abuse and poor conditions' said HSU state secreatry Jeff Jackson

'We hope that this will prevent further instances of abuse occurring'.

Mr Jackson stressed that the hotline was necessary because of the lack of an adequate complaints system for the industry.

'There are people who have no voice in relation to improprieties that they witness in the industry; we hope that this hotline will give them a voice.'

The HSU also called for mandatory reporting systems and strict monitoring of aged care facilities.

The hotline number for Victorian members to call to report instances of inappropriate behaviour and sub standard working environments in the aged care industry is 1300 723 733.

Members from other states should contact their state branch with stories relating to the aged care industry.

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Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Feb-2006 14:15:23 EST