Cameras to deter possible abuse would be allowed in the bedrooms of nursing home residents in South Australia under new legislation introduced to state parliament.
SA-BEST MP Frank Pangallo says he hopes the opt-in proposal, where residents or their families can elect to have cameras installed, will be supported by the Liberal government and the Labor opposition.
"These laws are way overdue, much needed, and have long been requested by residents and families of residents in aged care," Mr Pangallo said on Wednesday.
His move comes after the Oakden nursing home scandal in Adelaide where residents were subjected to shocking treatment including rough handling, an excessive use of restraints and a high level of injuries.
Oakden whistle-blower Stewart Johnston, whose mother was subjected to abuse, said the introduction of sophisticated new technology would provide the right level of care for some of the state's most vulnerable people.
"Had this all been available and utilised, I am convinced Oakden would never have occurred," he said.
While Noleen Hausler, who secretly filmed the assault of her 89-year-old father in an Adelaide care facility, said the proposals would give a "visual voice" to those people without the ability to defend or protect themselves.
Under the SA-BEST proposal, cutting-edge technology already in use in the UK would allow for the monitoring of residents by independent and qualified nurses or social workers with security clearances who would document treatment standards and incidents.
The technology has the capacity to create instant alerts for life-threatening incidents while the cameras can be programmed to screen-out personal care situations like bathing and changing.
There is also an ability for family members to log in to check on a resident's wellbeing.
"CCTV cameras in bedrooms will give hundreds of family members peace of mind knowing their loved ones in aged care have that added level of security and protection," Mr Pangallo said.
His legislation also came as another Adelaide nursing home defended its decision to refuse an application for a camera in a resident's room.
Ashman Grove Residential Care said it had respectfully declined the request after reflecting on the interests of the residents and staff, including their rights to privacy.
A spokesperson said there had never been any grounds for concern about the individual resident's quality of care, health or welfare.
