Aged Care Association Australia: Aged care package - good step on path to reform
The announcement today by Prime Minister Rudd of an aged care package adds to the earlier announcements regarding the national reform of the Australian health system and is
welcomed by Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA).
‘ACAA particularly welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement that the Commonwealth Government would now take over full responsibility for the Home and Community Care Program (HACC),' said Rod Young.
Mr Young said ‘ACAA also welcomed additional funding to support GPs visiting aged care facilities but believes that further initiatives are needed such as the ability to contract with group practices and IT systems that will integrate medication administration and electronic
prescribing.'
ACAA noted that the aged care package does not address a number of the industry's short and long term issues, such as:
● adequate indexation to reflect annual cost increases in both residential and community settings sufficient to ensure that funding matches changing care needs and the provision of service options to future clients
● a change to the capital charging rules to support the building of new nursing home places
● additional support to attract and retain adequate numbers of skilled nurses and carer staff
ACAA looks forward to working cooperatively with the Government to ensure that the broad health reform agenda achieves choice, access and sustainability for older Australians.
Please visit the Aged Care Association Australia website for more information.
Please visit NEWS & EVENTS to view a listing of all articles.