Aged care’s “best chance” yet
The NHHRC reform process presents a “once in a generation” opportunity for the sector.
The National Health and Hospital Reform Commission’s report presents a “once in a generation” opportunity for aged care, according to Ageing Minister, Justine Elliot.
It is reported that Mrs Elliot made the comments when she met with providers, lobbyists and consumer representatives at a consultation session in Sydney to talk about reform directions.
“Hearing first hand what health professionals, residential and community aged care service providers and consumer representatives think of the [NHHRC’s] recommendations will help shape the future of health and aged care systems,” Mrs Elliot said in a statement following the meeting.
The University of Sydney’s Professor Hal Kendig echoed the minister’s sentiments, saying that aged care had reached a critical moment.
“I have been an observer and commentator on ageing policies for more than 30 years,” he said.
“And I believe that the NHHRC report is the best chance to implement a major advance in aged care.
“It has been wonderful to see the government’s attention to health promotion for younger people and we await a comparable commitment to promoting the health of older people.”
The NHHRC’s proposals for aged care have received substantial support from the industry, although some providers have expressed concern about proposals to deregulate supply.
“People [at the consultation] were, in the main, enthusiastic about the reforms and the need for them,” said the CEO of Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), Greg Mundy.
“The details still need to be worked on but most people agreed that the report’s suggestions were good and that we need to look at how we can implement them.”
Key topics on the agenda at the consultation meeting included the sector’s workforce challenges, the interface between aged and acute care and consumer choice.
