New national ageing committee
A new Ageing Consultative Committee brings together the former Aged Care Advisory Committee and the Community Care Advisory Committee, with the aim of improving consultation between the sector, workforce and consumers.
However, Aged and Community Services Australia, believes that giving community care its own space tends to avoid it being overshadowed by residential care, but that it would make sure community care maintains a place on the agenda.
A statement from the department said the committee will focus primarily on efficiency in the bed allocation process, the review of aged care planning ratios, proposed changes to the regulatory framework and the better integration of community and residential care.
“The establishment of the [committee] along with changes to other advisory groups will help ensure stakeholders can provide me with relevant advice regarding the Government’s new aged care direction,” the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, said.
Provider representation includes:
- Aged Care Association Australia,
- Aged and Community Services Australia,
- Catholic Health Australia,
- Anglicare Australia,
- UnitingCare Australia,
- ACH Group,
- Retirement Village Association of Australia,
- Baptist Community Services; and
- Babcock & Brown Communities.
Consumer representation includes:
- National Seniors Australia Ltd,
- Carers Australia,
- Alzheimer’s Australia; and
- COTA Over 50s Ltd.
Professional/employee representation:
- Australian Medical Association,
- Health Services Union of Australia,
- Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine,
- Allied Health Professions Australia,
- Royal College of Nursing Australia,
- Australian Nursing Federation; and
- Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union.
Government representation includes:
- Department of Health and Ageing (Chair),
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and
- Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd.
