Just over a week after Christian Porter was appointed as the new Minister for Aged Care, there has been another change to the portfolio. Minister for Health and Sport, Sussan Ley has now taken responsibility for the role, bringing aged care back under the Department of Health for the first time since 2013. In the face of an unprecedented workforce shortage in aged care, a rapidly growing ageing population and extensive sector reform, Ms Ley will take on a range of challenges and immediately pressing issues.
Priorities
Just before the initial re-shuffle, Senator Mitch Fifield had stated a desire to scrap the ACAR in favour of a move towards consumer-directed care in residential aged care, and confirmed that the Aged Care Sector Committee was developing a roadmap for the next stages of reform.
As Sussan Ley assumes her new portfolio, the top priority is believed to be the audit of government funded workforce programs. Carried out by Health Outcomes International, the audit began in October of last year with findings now overdue having been expected earlier this year.
Senator Fifield had previously confirmed that the audit would play an integral role in the aged care workforce development strategy, meaning it will ultimately be critical to the future of the Aged Care Workforce Fund.
Other priorities that Australian Ageing Agenda believe will be of focus include dementia response teams, a stock take of dementia programs and services, the release of the CDC evaluation, and an agreement with Western Australia concerning the transfer of HACC to the Commonwealth as part of the CHSP.
Cuts to spending?
“I think the best systems and policies always come about where there is financial constraint,” Ms Ley told The Australian following her appointment.
“The tension of having limited dollars gives you the best possible system. Yes, we are in straitened fiscal circumstances, but I am not sensing that the aged care portfolio, health and welfare is being adversely affected because of that. It is my intention to make sure we get best value for the dollar.”
The implications of the new Minister’s strategy with regards to service providers remain to be seen, although further announcements are likely to follow soon. Next February’s Developing a Consumer Driven Aged Care Workforce conference in partnership with COTA will explore how we can grow workforce capacity to meet increasing demand and re-create value and recognition in the profession to attract and retain quality skilled workers. Book your place by November 13th to save $400 on ticket prices.
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