Yates’ new role as inspector general explained 

Ian Yates has been appointed as the new interim inspector-general of aged care.

The brand-new position and the Office of the Interim Inspector General have been set up pending the passage of legislation to establish the permanent Inspector General and Office, which is anticipated in the second half of 2023.

In 2021, the Royal Commission recommended the establishment of an independent office to monitor the aged care system and its components.

Yates has an extensive portfolio in aged care – he was chief of Australia's peak body for older Australians COTA for 20 years and inaugural chair of the Council of Elders.

He was also a member of the National Aged Care Advisory Council and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Council until he took up this role, and had a nine-year-tenure as Aged Care Financing Authority member.

"It's both exciting and an honour to be in the role," he told Aged Care Insite.

"It's a new role that offers the opportunity to address long-standing issues with the aged care system.

"It will strive for continuous improvement of the aged care system, and that's a very positive challenge to be involved in."

One of Yates' key tasks will involve talks with stakeholders to design a review program for regular reports and data collection.

The Office will also be tracking the progress made in implementing the recommendations made by the Royal Commission's 2021 report.

He said a key metric for testing whether reforms are effective is whether they achieve better outcomes for older people and their families.

"We're planning to report on progress to date during this year.

"Then there will be substantial reviews in five and ten years that will provide crucial insights into the sector.

"I will work with older Australians and the sector to understand the issues affecting their experiences of aged care, highlighting problems and recommending solutions to drive positive change across the system."

Yates can report on any Commonwealth department within the inspector general's remit, such as the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and any other part of the system.

He's also permitted to review parts of the aged care system or any issue it might face.

"It's part of having oversight and deciding what aspects might be useful to review in depth to improve the aged care system," Yates said. 

"I am confident we can help build community confidence in an accountable and transparent aged care system that meets the diverse needs of older Australians, their families and carers."

Yates has had extensive and detailed involvement in many aged care reform initiatives under previous governments in a wide range of areas. 

In 2005, Yates was made a Member of the Order of Australia. He is also an Honorary Doctor and Emeritus Deputy Chancellor of Flinders University.

"Aged care has been a very significant part of my total work, particularly over the last 15 years," Yates said.

"I've built up a comprehensive network of consumer contacts and providers whom I've talked to for many years, which is a good groundwork for this role."

One of Yates' immediate priorities is finalising proposed legislation to create the statutory office of inspector general of aged care, for government consideration.

He is also contacting diverse stakeholders to discuss how the interim office could approach its monitoring and review of the system.

Yates said it's important to hear the perspectives of everyone engaged within the aged care sector, including consumers, providers, workforce and researchers.

"Anything that people think might be useful in the initial phases of this role to focus on in terms of reviews and reports," he said.

"It's not a matter of us sitting in a room and thinking them up – we're going to engage in dialogue with people in aged care to hear what they think should be the early priorities."

Aged care minister Anika Wells said Yates' decorated career made him the ideal person for the role.

"Yates brings a wealth of experience to the role of Interim Inspector-General for Aged Care," Wells said.

"This role demonstrates our commitment to strengthening and driving positive change in the aged care system by providing the means for independent oversight, increased transparency and accountability in the sector.

"The Interim Inspector-General and, when appointed, the Inspector-General, will play a critical role in enhancing transparency and building greater confidence in the operation of the aged care system."

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