Catholic Health Australia has this week said the passage of the Aged Care Act through Parliament Monday 25 November lays the foundation for a better and more sustainable aged care system that acts on the key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
“We welcome this seminal reform which will help deliver quality and sustainable aged care for all Australians, whether they live in a city, regional town or rural area,” said Laura Haylen, Director of Aged Care Policy at Catholic Health Australia.
“Aged care providers can now move to a sustainable footing and start to look at expanding operations where there is unmet need, particularly among vulnerable and marginalised communities.”
Catholic Health Australia had long called for aged care funding reforms that would allow providers to operate sustainably and keep serving their communities.
CHA successfully advocated for key changes to the bill on behalf of its 350 aged care members and the sector more broadly, including protections to help ensure providers retain a skilled and dedicated workforce.
Catholic Health Australia’s focus now turns to the critical transition phase as these reforms are implemented.
“Providers and older Australians will need time to adapt to the reforms in a staged way, particularly with regard to home care,” said Alex Lynch, Director of Public Health and In-Home Support Policy.
“We will continue to advocate for transitional arrangements through the Aged Care Transition Taskforce and consultation on subordinate legislation.”
Catholic, not-for-profit providers will be represented on the Transition Taskforce by CHA’s Deputy Chair and Chair of Catholic Healthcare Steve Teulan.
Catholic Health Australia is Australia’s largest non-government grouping of health and aged care services, accounting for approximately 15 per cent of hospital-based healthcare in Australia. Our members also provide around 25 percent of private hospital care, five per cent of public hospital care, 12 per cent of aged care facilities, and 20 per cent of home care and support for the elderly.