Getting ‘serious’ about aged care future
The recent establishment of a new aged care committee may be the start of a regulatory environment which motivates consumers to proactively improve their health, while giving providers the opportunity to design and deliver services to achieve this.
Professor Peter Shergold, above, has been appointed chair of the Aged Care Sector Committee.
The Aged Care Sector Committee will provide guidance to help the aged care sector adapt to new demands and a greater consumer focus.
It will provide important advice, including identifying where to start the critical task of cutting red tape in aged care and practical steps that can be taken to reduce administrative burdens and compliance costs.
Professor Peter Shergold AC, who was appointed chair of the Aged Care Reform Implementation Council (ACRIC) in 2012, has also been appointed as chair of the Aged Care Sector Committee.
Committee members have been drawn from peak bodies representing providers across residential and home care, for profit and not for profit providers and consumer and workforce representatives.
Members have already been involved in consultations to develop a better way to allocate the former Aged Care Workforce Supplement funding in a more flexible and targeted way.
Patrick Reid, chief executive of Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), who has been appointed as an Aged Care Sector Committee member, says “LASA, as a voice for age service providers, will provide strong representation on behalf of its members to the committee charged with building the future of aged care”.
Adjunct Professor John Kelly, Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) chief executive, another committee member, adds while there are many challenges ahead in aged care, ACSA looks forward to “having a seat at the table”.
Other committee members include: Ian Yates, COTA chief executive; Lee Thomas, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation federal secretary; Michael O’Neill, National Seniors Australia chief executive; Lin Hatfield Dodds, UnitingCare Australia national director; Martin Laverty, Catholic Health Australia chief executive; Glenn Rees, Alzheimer’s Australia chief executive; Ara Cresswell, Carers Australia chief executive; Netty Horton, Salvation Army territorial social program director; Gary Barnier, Domain Principal Group managing director; Louis Dudley, Bupa managing director; and Lynda O’Grady, Aged Care Financing Authority chair.
Not for profit aged care provider, RSL Care, welcomes the establishment of the committee, with chief executive, Craig Mills, claiming it is evidence of the federal government’s seriousness about addressing the issues facing both aged care providers and consumers.
“With an increasing ageing population and the rising burden of disease, the not for profit sector provides dynamic support to government to meet the increasing demand for aged care services,” Mr Mills says.
