Minister Consults on the Future of Aged Care
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot met with aged care providers, stakeholders, consumer representatives and health professionals in a National Health and Hospital Reform Commission (NHHRC) consultation session held in Sydney on 7 October.
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7 October 2009
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot today met with aged care providers, stakeholders, consumer representatives and health professionals in a National Health and Hospital Reform Commission (NHHRC) consultation session held in Sydney.
Minister Elliot outlined the Commission’s recommendations on aged care services and discussed reform priorities with the sector aimed at improving residential and community aged care services and meeting the needs of our ageing population.
Minister Elliot said: “Today’s discussion is an important part of the national conversation on the reform agenda proposed by the Health and Hospitals Reform Commission.
“Hearing first hand what health professionals, residential and community aged care service providers and consumer representatives think of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission’s recommendations will help shape the future of health and aged care systems.
“Meeting the care challenges of an ageing population and the integration of the health and aged care systems have featured in consultations to date.
“Today’s session was an opportunity to hear the more detailed views of the sector.
“It is important that the health, hospitals and aged care systems work together to meet the care needs of older Australians in an affordable, accessible and sustainable way,” Minister Elliot said.
More than 900,000 older Australians receive some form of assistance each year through either residential care or services provided in their own homes. These services are provided by a workforce or more than 260,000 people.
The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission report made recommendations for system-wide changes to Australian aged care system focused around the goals of greater choice for consumers, the most effective use of taxpayer’s funds and the creation of an environment that fosters a robust and sustainable aged care sector.
After twelve years of neglect by the previous Liberal Government, the Rudd Government is taking concrete steps to improve Australia's health and aged care system by providing a record $44 billion for aged and community care services over the next four years, investing in workforce development and training and introducing measures to improve quality of care.
All Australians are also able to send in their comments and contribute to the national debate on our health system through the www.yourhealth.gov.au website.
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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