Hall & Prior endorses VICOP

CEO Graeme Prior (centre back) with members of the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council.

Last Friday (February 5) Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, launched the new Aged Care Voluntary Industry Code of Practice (VICOP) in Canberra.

Leaders and experts from the aged care sector including our CEO Graeme Prior joined Minister Colbeck in robust demonstration of their support.

Hall & Prior was one of the first providers to sign up to VICOP in January this year.

The Code is a first for the industry – a single Code for all aged care organisations, workers and consumers. It is a compelling example of how industry and government can work together to drive meaningful change within the aged care sector. 

“Hall & Prior is very proud to be part of VICOP and as a member of the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council (ACWIC) I can see first-hand the importance of the Council’s work,” Mr Prior said.

“I am very pleased to see that the Commonwealth Government has also pledged its continuing support.

“The code will inspire aged care providers and their employees across Australia to ‘raise the bar’ in the pursuit of excellence with the care provided to every senior Australian.

“As Chief Executive Officer of Hall & Prior, I see it as my personal responsibility to sponsor this important body of work. We will be publishing our first voluntary report against the code in July 2021.”

The Code outlines seven principles for providers to follow that demonstrate they are committed, accountable and dedicated to improvement, focusing on:

• ensuring older Australians, their families, carers and advocates are involved in all decisions about care;
• allowing choice about where care is delivered - at their home, in the community or in a residential aged care facility;
• providing holistic care that not only meets older Australians’ physical needs but their mental, emotional, cultural, social and spiritual needs as well;
• enabling, skilling, and valuing aged care workers to meet the needs of older Australians, and;
• making certain the performance of all aged care services are transparent and accessible to workers and consumers.

The Council will consult with the sector – including consumer, workforce, provider organisations and their members – to develop VICOP’s governance and processes during the first half of 2021.  

Hall & Prior endorsed the code last week with a letter from CEO Graeme Prior to the Minister - to read the full letter please click here.

To find out more about the council please visit: https://acwic.com.au/