Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is delighted to be one of the supporting partners in establishing the Care Economy Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
Led by Melbourne's La Trobe University, the Care Economy CRC will be focussed on addressing current and emerging challenges covering all services that support people's well-being from early childhood to aged care – including palliative care.
Drawing on $35 million just announced by Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, the CRC is a $129 million, 10-year partnership between a range of public and private organisations.
"From the very start, PCA saw the opportunity this consortium presents and has been involved for the last four years helping build a case of government funding and support," says Camilla Rowland, CEO, PCA.
"The CRC aims to develop and implement innovative solutions to improve care over the next decade – and given the growing demand for palliative care, it's critical we play a part.
"This important collaboration will look at technology, data, and workforce innovation to address challenges such as increased demand and skills shortages currently crippling the care sector."
Australia's Care Economy CRC is a world first and comes at a time when Australia's population is ageing and with it, increasing levels and complexity of chronic health issues.
Interim CRC CEO, Carmela Sergi says, the CRC will develop new technologies and workforce solutions to meet Australians' expectations for high-quality and contemporary care into the future.
"This funding will help transform care services to improve quality, productivity and sustainability," Ms Sergi says.
Other contributors to the CRC include, leading technology organisations and research institutions working across aged care, community healthcare, disability services, early childhood education, family services, housing, mental health, wellbeing, and youth services.
"This is a dynamic collaboration to be a part of, and an initiative that PCA sees great potential in," Ms Rowland says. "The rate at which the number of people aged 85 and over is on track to triple in the next seven years, we need to find new ways to meet the demand for care our elders and their families have now and into the future. "The Care Economy CRC is a constructive step forward, one that looks to support and grow existing health and care systems, with new and bold ideas that support vulnerable communities."
