20-February-2009
Goldstein Media Releases, Health, Community
Elderly Bayside residents will get no certainty following the release of The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Interim Report on 16 February 2009. Yet, action is long overdue.
“The Rudd Government has spent the better part of 15 months talking of the problems in the sector but has failed to outline a single plan to combat the crisis. This is very disappointing,” Andrew Robb, Federal Member for Goldstein said.
The report identifies the need for major aged care reform, insisting Australia will need an additional 144,000 (51% increase) aged care places by 2020 and an additional 240,000 (108% increase) places by 2030.
“This report, which the Rudd Government sat on for three months before releasing, simply restates that which has already been said by numerous reviews undertaken by the government,” Mr Robb said.
As outlined in the 2006 Intergenerational Report we are living longer - much longer. In 1967, for example, life expectancy at birth for men and women was approximately 67 years and 74 years respectively. In 2007, these figures were 79 years and 84 years respectively. By 2047, they are projected to be 86 years and 90 years respectively.
“There is a drastic need for reform and to continue the Coalition’s work in delivering greater choice across the sector,” Mr Robb said.
The previous Coalition Government worked hard to improve aged care services in our community. Funding substantially rose from $3.1 billion in 1996 to $8.6 billion in 2007 and we introduced accreditation standards, unannounced visits and provided greater choice for our elderly citizens as to the type of care they received.
In the Goldstein alone, up to $5 million was invested in the aged care sector between 2004 and 2007, with Family Touch Home Care Services and Mayflower Retirement Community among those organisations rewarded for their tireless work.
Apart from highlighting the need for greater choice in the sector, the report cites the fragmented nature of the current system. Multiple programs across multiple government departments and agencies exist which has caused inefficiencies and waste.
“The fragmentation of the sector is an obstacle elderly Bayside residents face in understanding what services are available to best meet their needs.
“The current structure of the aged care system in Australia needs urgent reform. The Rudd Government needs to develop a viable and sustainable system, and they should act immediately,” Mr Robb said.
Media contact: Skye Buttenshaw, 9557 4644