Funding shortfalls
Media release
21 June 2010
Older Australians are dismayed by reports suggesting there’s no money for aged care or dental services in the federal health reform kitty.
National Seniors chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said hospitals could not be reformed in isolation from dental and aged care services.
“Age care, dental services and hospitals are inextricably linked. Health reform isn’t health reform without aged and dental care,” said O’Neill.
“Older people are sitting in hospitals waiting for nursing home beds, or they’re being transferred out of nursing homes into hospitals for the basic medical services that we should already provide in nursing homes,” he said.
“Despite all the talk on health reform, we’ve heard very little about respite care for people nursed at home; sub acute care for people recovering after medical treatment; dental waiting lists; and aged care staffing shortages.”
“Let me say this: conveniently parking aged care with the Productivity Commission as an election looms won’t deter older Australians from wanting to hear, before polling day, how both parties intend to tackle these issues,” said O’Neill.
Today’s Australian reports an unknown Labor figure was told by Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner there is no money for dental, mental and aged care services. Mr Tanner denies the claim.
Media contact: 07 3233 9135
With 280,000 members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over-50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.
21 June 2010
Aged care and dental funding shortfalls dismay seniors
Older Australians are dismayed by reports suggesting there’s no money for aged care or dental services in the federal health reform kitty.
National Seniors chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said hospitals could not be reformed in isolation from dental and aged care services.
“Age care, dental services and hospitals are inextricably linked. Health reform isn’t health reform without aged and dental care,” said O’Neill.
“Older people are sitting in hospitals waiting for nursing home beds, or they’re being transferred out of nursing homes into hospitals for the basic medical services that we should already provide in nursing homes,” he said.
“Despite all the talk on health reform, we’ve heard very little about respite care for people nursed at home; sub acute care for people recovering after medical treatment; dental waiting lists; and aged care staffing shortages.”
“Let me say this: conveniently parking aged care with the Productivity Commission as an election looms won’t deter older Australians from wanting to hear, before polling day, how both parties intend to tackle these issues,” said O’Neill.
Today’s Australian reports an unknown Labor figure was told by Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner there is no money for dental, mental and aged care services. Mr Tanner denies the claim.
Media contact: 07 3233 9135
With 280,000 members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over-50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.
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