The government will in the coming weeks be publishing a public consultation on new standards for elderly persons homes and for over 30 elderly centres around the country. The standards will deal with all aspects of homes, from food, carers service to even the medical aspect.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Active Ageing, Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, told TVMnews that this process will be implemented together with more enforcement.
The public consultation will be published by the Standards Authority for Older Persons, OPSA.
Parliamentary Secretary Agius Galea recalled the opening of elderly homes in recent years, adding that the standards will also concern the 31 centres of active ageing in the country. “The standards will focus on the quality and services of food in elderly homes, the standards of particular homes, and also the carers aspect. We are also providing the skills pass for all carers so that these workers are qualified as necessary”.
Mr Agius Galea added that clear standards are also needed on the quality of the medical service provided in elderly homes and the need of a process to strengthen enforcement. “Enforcement officers will be visiting elderly homes to ensure standards. If needed, training will be given to workers and if people persist in not observing standards, enforcement and fines will be given”.
Referring to current works, the Parliamentary Secretary mentioned the adjudication of the tender for the Cospicua Home while the tender will also shortly close for the Imsida elderly home. Other projects are being implemented by the private sector, some of which will focus on specific realities such as dementia.
