A human can now overrule the algorithm: older Australians get a person back in the loop

Australia's Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed proposed Aged Care Rules and an amendments Bill in Parliament that add a human escalation pathway to the Integrated Assessment Tool used to assess older people's care needs — so a person can step in and override an algorithm's decision. OPAN chief executive Craig Gear said the pathway matters because an algorithm may not understand an individual's unique circumstances and high-risk needs. The amendments also permanently enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner, aimed at more equitable, culturally safe care. OPAN's welcome is cautious — it will watch that the pathway works in a timely way.