Saving the aged care industry from collapse
The WA Aged Care industry is facing one of the biggest crises in its history. Costs of providing Aged Care beds are rising much faster than Government funding.
This means that at a time of unprecedented demand from the community, aged care organisations in WA can no longer afford to provide government-funded beds. In the latest aged care funding round only 536 of 1,208 available places in WA were taken up.
This will effect the quality of care received by those currently relying on aged care and is likely to affect most of us who will eventually depend upon the indusrty.
Unfortunately the Minister responsible for aged care continues to ignore the crisis. The recent federal budget stripped almost a billion dollars from the industry.
Cuts to the Conditional Adjustment Payment Subsidy - the mechanism designed to bridge the gap between inadequate federal funding and real aged care industry costs - mean that $910m will be lost to the industry over four years.
The Government's inaction comes despite a Senate Committee report, a Productivity Commission report, industry leaders and its own National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission report that all point to the need for structural reform of the sector.
Bentley Park Retirement Village, under the management of Swancare, is home to more than 1000 local residents. It provides both low and high care and is facing extraordinary pressures as a result of this crisis.
Action is needed.
I have been using my position as the Deputy Chair of the Health and Ageing Committee to stand up for my constituents and push for a solution to this crisis.
I frequently visit Bentley Park Retirement Village and work closely with CEO Graham Francis and Park President David Harvey.
I recently organised an aged care forum at the new and innovative Kingia development at Bentley Park retirement village. Click here to find out more information on the event.
I will continue to pressure the Government to find a solution to the Aged Care Crisis.
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