The Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliott will address the aged care sector about the government’s recent health and aged care reforms for the first time since COAG, at the Aged and Community Services Association NSW and ACT (ACS) conference this Thursday.

The Minister is expected to outline how the government will implement its plans to transform the sector and will call upon aged care professionals to offer input into the Productivity Commission’s upcoming inquiry.

“The views of the sector have been taken into account when the Government set the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission review and I am sure that the sector will provide important input to the inquiry,” Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliott said.

“We are committed to working with consumers, aged care service providers, aged care workers and other interested parties in setting out the path for further structural reform.”

ACS CEO, Jill Pretty emphasised the importance of the Ministers’ address in the wake of the COAG reforms.

“This will be the first opportunity for aged care professionals to hear first hand how the Government intends to implement plans for aged care announced in the COAG communiqué,” Ms Pretty said.

“Transformation of the aged care sector is imperative if we are to meet the needs of our ageing population.

“However, successful implementation of reforms will be dependent on a close partnership with Governments, community and residential care providers and consumers.”

Ms Pretty said she was confident the Productivity Commission would reinforce the need for collaboration and restate the outcomes of previous reviews including the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission and the recent Senate Inquiry: fundamental reform is critical to sustain aged care and meet the needs of older Australians.

“In particular, the Commission and the Government must address financing to ensure that funding matches the real costs of providing care and accommodation now and into the future.”

This State conference titled “BEYOND 2010 – Transformation Imperative” will run for two days (finishing this Friday) at the Australian Technology Park, Sydney. It will provide aged care staff and service providers with an opportunity to discuss future opportunities and challenges.