securing the welfare of
aged care residents
Through Litigation and Systemic Reform
Who We Are
ALARM is a not-for-profit group of volunteers incorporated in Victoria pursuant to the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012. It was established in October 2020, by senior legal and medical professionals. ALARM’s Chairman is Dr Bryan Keon-Cohen, AM QC, a member of the Victorian Bar, now retired, and is supported by other voluntary Board members.
The Honourable Tony Pagone QC
Patron
We welcome The Honourable Tony Pagone QC, as Patron of ALARM, a former Federal Court Judge and Chair of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Dr Bryan Keon-Cohen AM QC
Chairman
Dr Bryan Keon-Cohen AM QC, now retired, practised at the Victorian Bar for 35 years, focusing on the protection of human rights, including native title claims.
How We Help
ALARM’s core mission is ultimately to secure and improve the lives of residents of aged care. The crisis revealed by the Royal Commission into Aged Care points to the urgent need for action.
ALARM seeks immediate industry behavioural change and redress through facilitating litigation by connecting victims with law firms, and ultimate change through law reform.
Our Purpose
ALARM’s main purposes are to promote law reform in the Aged Care sector and to assist aggrieved persons seeking legal redress due to financial, emotional or physical damage suffered in aged-care facilities.
Activities:
ALARM is networking with allied groups and aged-care workers, and is developing contacts with lawyers and legal firms willing to accept potential clients, initially on a pro-bono basis and, if so instructed, to act for them thereafter.
Why Alarm
ALARM exists to stop the aged care crisis identified by the Royal Commission into Aged Care
Publications and News
Articles
Whistleblowing Protections in Aged Care
Those who experience or witness malpractice, in any medical setting, must be assured that they will not face retribution if they speak out about substandard care. This highlights the importance of protections for individuals who ‘blow the whistle’ on poor practices, whether they be staff or residents.
Case Studies
Negligent Care Within Aged Care Facilities All Too Common
We acted for the daughter and granddaughter of a man (Mr W) who died as a result of the negligent care he received at an aged cared facility in Parramatta, New South Wales.
Alarm News
Media Release – 6500 Reports of Distressed and Neglected Aged Care Residents
Aged Care Watch submitted 6,500 reports of aged care residents left neglected and distressed to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on Wednesday 27 April 2022. This was first reported in The Guardian.