Co-designed approach to ongoing aged care reform
National leading aged care body, Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), has met with the new Minister for Social Services, Scott Morrison, outlining key issues facing the aged and community care industry, with a particular focus on solutions and the development of a co-designed approach to policy initiatives and ongoing reform.
The new Minister for Social Services, Scott Morrison, met with peak aged care body, LASA, to discuss a co-designed approach to policy initiatives and ongoing reform.
LASA chief executive, Patrick Reid, also discussed the inclusion of aged care in the China Free Trade Agreement, including the submission LASA developed for the Industry Skills Fund to assist industry become export ready. LASA will reportedly continue these discussions, particularly with Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane.
Minister Morrison was surprised to learn of the high number of small providers, with LASA flagging the need for government to join the industry in looking for innovative solutions and to progress cultural change to ensure viability of age services in rural and regional Australia.
LASA also raised the issue of the industry needing to support and nurture management roles. Both the Minister and his staff were surprised at the demographics of the age services personnel and understand the need for innovative workforce solutions. LASA raised the success of the LASA Nurse Graduate program as an example of a practical and cost effective way to achieve workforce outcomes.
LASA also made a commitment to assist the Minister to reform the dysfunctional Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) system.
As part of its briefing package, the Minister was presented with LASA policies, with a commitment made to have regular dialogue with both the Minister and his staff.
