Issues paper a green light for reform
The Campaign for Care of Older Australians (CCOA), which comprises 11 national organisations providing community and residential aged care and housing, has commended the Productivity Commission’s issues paper, Caring for Older Australians, saying it signals the potential for real reform in the aged care sector.
The CCOA said the paper provided a considered overview of the sector and posed pertinent questions.
“The Productivity Commission has covered all the bases necessary for a thorough assessment and understanding of aged care,” the CCOA said.
“The paper also acknowledges no less than five significant inquiries have been undertaken since 2004, with most of the recommendations for major reform around the funding and regulation unheeded. This time we need action.
“Appropriately the inquiry seeks to look at aged care in the context of the wider health system. Funding, access, choice, affordability and the specific issues confronting rural and remote communities have all been highlighted.
“Critical short term funding for aged care services and accommodation must be addressed well before the Commission is due to release its final paper.
“We urge all political parties to put the urgent needs of older Australians before short term political advantage in the lead up to this year’s election and call on both the Government and the Opposition to commit now to significant reform of aged care within the next term of office.
“Any reforms will come too late for some older Australians but as the Intergenerational Report, among others, has confirmed, older people will comprise a quarter of our population within several decades.
“With this knowledge it is incumbent upon us all to be properly prepared to ensure we have a sustainable aged care system with real choice and access to quality care and support for all Australians.”
