Health reform deal leaves older Australians waiting in hospital

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A new national health funding agreement worth $219.6 billion has drawn criticism from Ageing Australia, which says a key chance to ease pressure on hospitals and improve care for older Australians has been missed.

The five-year agreement between the Commonwealth and the states and territories was announced on Friday, but it did not include the previously flagged $2 billion aimed at tackling delayed discharges of older people from public hospitals.

Ageing Australia chief executive Tom Symondson said the absence of that funding sent the wrong signal at a time when hospitals are seeing a growing number of older patients staying far longer than medically necessary.

“This was a rare opportunity for state and federal governments to work together to improve outcomes for the thousands of older Australians stuck in hospital for extended periods, but that opportunity has been missed,” he said.

Symondson warned that the problem is already visible across the system and will intensify as the population ages. “The growing number of long stay older people in hospital should have been a clear warning sign for the states and the Commonwealth that only concerted, joint efforts could improve the situation. This pressure will only increase and addressing it will require action from all levels of government.”

Australia’s demographic shift is well established. The number of people aged over 65 is expected to double over the next 40 years, while those aged over 85 are projected to triple. That change is placing strain on hospitals, aged care providers and families alike

Australia’s demographic shift is well established. The number of people aged over 65 is expected to double over the next 40 years, while those aged over 85 are projected to triple. That change is placing strain on hospitals, aged care providers and families alike.

“The Commonwealth, states and territories need to work collaboratively with aged care providers and hospitals to deliver programs that will provide the support people need across the health and aged care systems,” Symondson said.

“Western Australia is one example of how states can do their bit. The Cook Government has recently committed to a $100 million Low Interest Loan Scheme to support providers to build beds for older people with lower means. And in Victoria, the state government has a long history of providing aged care services, particularly for those older people with higher levels of clinical need”

He pointed to a mismatch between demand and supply in aged care infrastructure. “Demand is growing faster every day. We must invest now. And yet last year we built about 800 aged care beds, a drop in the ocean compared to the 10,000 we should be building each and every year just to keep up with demand. We need to see substantial Commonwealth Government action on this.”

At the same time, he cautioned against seeing bed numbers as a simple fix. “But more beds alone will not resolve this issue – many older people in hospital need higher levels of care and support than a residential home can provide. That is where the states and territories must also play their role.”

Symondson cited examples where state governments have stepped in. “Western Australia is one example of how states can do their bit. The Cook Government has recently committed to a $100 million Low Interest Loan Scheme to support providers to build beds for older people with lower means. And in Victoria, the state government has a long history of providing aged care services, particularly for those older people with higher levels of clinical need.”

He said similar choices are available to every government in the country. “Every government in Australia can choose to prioritise the needs of older people – and they must. Older Australians deserve nothing less.”

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