Catholic Health Australia (CHA) supports Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s call for a Royal Commission into aged care so that the future of care for Australia’s elderly can be properly and independently addressed.
CHA members share the community’s expectation for quality and compassionate care for all our older Australians and commend the commitment made to improving their future through this much needed examination and national conversation.
Chief executive of CHA, Suzanne Greenwood, said the Royal Commission should be used as an opportunity to ensure that the aged care system is fit-for-purpose for the care of older Australians.
"This Royal Commission should not be used as an excuse to ‘down tools’ on progressing the significant reforms to improve the aged care system that are already underway or recommended in recent reports.
"These reforms stem from the Tune Report and the Carnell Paterson Report, and focus on improving quality regulation, increasing informed consumer choice and control of services, and securing the resourcing of the ever-burgeoning need for aged care services," Ms Greenwood said.
Currently the prospects for older Australians needing quality aged care services are uncertain with no federal funding plan that will cater for the projected 2 million aged 85+ Australians by 2055.
"If the terms of reference are properly targeted, this Royal Commission could be a defining moment in aged care. CHA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of the Terms of Reference, and to contribute to the Royal Commission."
CHA members are 100% not-for profit providers serving more than 1 in 10 older Australians accessing aged care services.
