Baptistcare Welcomes Aged Care Reform
As a significant provider of services to Older Australians in Western Australia, Bapistcare welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission‟s inquiry report into „Caring for Older Australians‟, by the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Ageing Mark Butler.
“This is a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity for the Federal Government and the community to come together to improve services for older Australians”, said CEO Dr Lucy Morris.
“The report highlights the inadequacies of the current aged care system for older Australians and the need for the Government to make significant changes to the system as it stands. Our hope is that the Government will take this opportunity to make a real difference for seniors who have to look at aged care options and the impact this has on their families.”
Dr Morris said: “We are looking forward to being part of the conversation that the Government has opened up for the next couple of months, to help shape the future of aged care in Australia. Our ongoing concern is to make sure that vulnerable Australians are able to access services in the future and that there will be services available for them. Baptistcare is a not-for-profit, faith based organisation and this is where our services continue to be targeted and we must ensure that this remains possible.”
“We would also like to offer a gentle reminder that in the meantime, the sector continues to operate under great pressure, financially and with the huge regulatory and compliance obligations, and I would urge the Minister to see what can be done to ease the burden for providers while the debate is taking place.”
Baptistcare is a member of Baptist Care Australia, the peak body for the Baptist community care organisations across Australia, representing some 4,500 residential aged care residents and 2,700 packaged community aged care places across Australia. It is a member of both the National Aged Care Alliance and the Ageing Consultative Committee.
Aimee Somerville
PR & Marketing Officer
100 Welshpool Road, Welshpool 6106
P 9282 8664
M 0429 086 146