Aged care crisis to worsen for poor under new reforms, ministers warn
Health ministers warn the aged care crisis forcing elderly Australians to live in hospitals has reached breaking point, with new reforms set to make it worse.
Exclusive: Frustrated state health ministers say the shocking number of older Australians stuck in hospital because they can’t get an aged care bed is a national tragedy, with one claiming the new reforms are set to make it worse for those on lower incomes.
The South Australia and NSW health ministers spoke out on Monday after reading the story of Anna Romanik, 80, who has advanced dementia, and has applied to 21 facilities but had no takers.
It follows the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s blasting of the federal government on Sunday over health funding, and the 1100 aged care and NDIS participants languishing in hospital beds there.
SA Health Minister Chris Picton said Anna Romanik is a typical victim of the aged care bed shortage.
“This is a national tragedy which is occurring before our eyes and Anna could well be the face of that tragedy,” Mr Picton said.
“We have seen a huge escalation in the number of elderly Australians who are stuck in public hospitals at no fault of their own because our aged care system is completely full and sadly broken.”
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) revealed in a report last month that some providers are screening potential new residents and rejecting those deemed more ‘difficult’, including those with mental illness, dementia, and even those who are obese or smoke.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said Commonwealth bed block is escalating in state hospitals around the country and he is concerned about revelations that some providers are cherrypicking which applicants they want to accept, fearing it will “exacerbate the current crisis”.
“These patients deserve better,” Mr Park said.
Mr Picton said the number of older Australians left homeless in hospitals in SA has increased fivefold since he took over the portfolio three years ago.
He said there are 250 older people stuck in public hospitals and on top of that another 100 in places such as the 5-star Pullman Hotel – paid for by the state – because there’s nowhere else for them to go.
Mr Picton said the state government has put out a tender for another 120 beds to be made available for aged care patients waiting for a proper home because the crisis is escalating.
He warned that things are only going to get worse with the new aged care reforms, especially for those on lower incomes. Aged care residents will contribute more to their care under the new Aged Care Act, which came in on November 1.
“Unfortunately under the new changes which have just come in the last two weeks (aged care providers) are going to be more incentivised to build for wealthy people rather than lower income people, which I think is going to be an escalating level of concern as well,” Mr Picton said.
He added there is increasing concern from the states and territories about the federal government’s lack of action, despite the health ministers requesting urgent help from the Commonwealth months ago.
A federal government spokesperson said negotiations have re-commenced to finalise the national cabinet deal on hospital funding and NDIS reforms.
The Commonwealth has increased its hospital funding system by 12 per cent in this financial year.
The spokesperson said to meet growing demand for aged care services, Labor will deliver 83,000 Support at Home places by the end of this financial year.
If you have an aged care story email julie.cross@news.com.au
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Originally published as Aged care crisis to worsen for poor under new reforms, ministers warn
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