Rural providers push their case

A state aged care industry association is calling for an overhaul of the eligibility criteria for the Commonwealth’s rural viability supplement.

Aged and Community Care Victoria (ACCV) says under the current system, many smaller rural communities are missing out on much needed additional support.

The call was one of a number of key messages to emerge from ACCV’s rural mini conference in Echuca at the end of last week.

“Every stress and pressure in the industry such as funding and workforce is always more challenging for our rural communities,” said the organisation’s CEO, Gerard Mansour.

“There is much to be done to ensure that our already struggling industry can be supported to continue to provide vital aged and community care services to Victorians in rural and remote communities.”

Mr Mansour also called on state and federal governments to conduct a review to determine the true cost of care.

He said the review would need to encompass the additional cost pressures faced by providers operating in rural and regional areas.  

“The Commonwealth Government now has the opportunity, in its response to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Report, to make sure our rural communities will have robust and sustainable aged care services in the long term,” Mr Mansour said. “I urge them not to miss this crucial opportunity.”