WA providers consider “extreme action”
Providers in the West feel that the Commonwealth is ignoring the state’s older population.
Not-for-profit providers in Western Australia have warned they may be forced to take “extreme action” as operating conditions become increasingly untenable.
With only 40 per cent of the state’s aged care groups generating a surplus, Aged and Community Services Western Australia (ACSWA) says its members are frustrated.
The group’s CEO, Stephen Kobelke said the state’s mining boom economy was adding to the difficulties felt by providers around the country.
“Everyone in aged care in Australia is under pressure – we acknowledge that – but conditions here are extremely difficult and the anger of the sector here has perhaps been more prominent here,” he said.
“Our members are at the point of considering further action of a more visible nature –some people might call it civil disobedience.”
Mr Kobelke said WA’s not-for-profit providers are already “rationalising” their services.
Several aged care groups have handed care licences back to the Commonwealth Government and this trend is expected to continue.
The aged care crisis is impacting on the state’s health system with close to 300 older people currently waiting in hospital beds to be admitted into aged care.
Mr Kobelke said the Commonwealth was failing to act on the concerns of providers.
“Our members are angry about the way that Western Australia’s older people are being treated,” he said.
“We have had a number of high level meetings now to discuss taking more extreme actions and we have briefed ACSA [Aged and Community Services Australia] about our intentions.”
“We cannot continue to operate as we are at the moment.”
