The suspected abuse of elderly people will be easier to report under new legislation to be introduced in South Australia.
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Health Minister Stephen Wade will introduce a bill on Wednesday establishing an Adult Safeguarding Unit in the Office for the Ageing, tasked with investigating claims of abuse and minimising harm through early intervention.
"In the past in South Australia, we have seen some of the worst cases of abuse in vulnerable people, and we never want to see that repeated," Mr Wade said.
The minister said the new office will simplify the escalation processes with cases of suspected abuse.
"Working closely with South Australia police, its key focus will be to minimise harm through early intervention, multi-agency coordination and information-sharing," Mr Wade said.
The unit is a direct response to the Oakden nursing home scandal investigation which found failures in clinical governance as well as incidents of rough handling of patients, excessive use of restraints and high level of injuries.
Australian Associated Press