The Federal Government has pledged to spend $452 million on an aged care overhaul.

Responding to the damning final report from the aged care royal commission, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says almost half a billion dollars will be spent “to address immediate priorities in the sector.”

“Our comprehensive response to the Royal Commission final report will be driven by the principle of respect and care and through the lens of five broad pillars,” said Health Minister Greg Hunt.

Those ‘pillars’ are; home care, residential aged care quality and safety, residential aged care services and sustainability, workforce, and governance.

“The five pillars will underpin the Australian Government’s response, along with its reform agenda and the implementation of those changes.

“Today, we announce a further $452.2 million package as an initial step in responding to this Final Report.”

The report made 148 recommendations including approving home care packages within one month after a person's assessment, and clearing the home care waitlist by the end of the year.

It called for the decision to prescribe antipsychotic drugs to be placed in the hands of a psychiatrist or a geriatrician, in response to their over-use in residential aged care.

“Life is to be lived. No matter how old we are, how frail or incapacitated we might be, how rich or poor, we all have the fundamental right to wellbeing, enjoyment and fulfilment as we age,” Commissioner Briggs said in the final report.

“In order for this aspiration to become reality, our aged care system must be founded on the principles of unfailing compassion — care, dignity and respect.”

The royal commission also called for all staff in aged care to have a minimum level of training, similar to the requirements of the childcare sector.

The commissioners said the Aged Care Act must be replaced, which the government says is among its planned changes. 

More details are accessible here.