A peak aged care provider is concerned the major parties are hiding behind the aged care royal commission rather than responding to urgent priorities that can be resolved immediately.
Aged & Community Services Australia says that while there are complex challenges and opportunities that need proper investigation and consideration from the royal commission, there are also some urgent and practical solutions that can be acted on now.
"We can't use the royal commission as an excuse to delay urgent reforms that will improve aged care right now," ACSA CEO Patricia Sparrow said in a statement on Monday.
"There's no excuse to delay."
The ASCA believes there are five key priorities than can be dealt with now, including increasing the rural and remote supplement by $10 per day, addressing an oral health crisis in health care and bringing forward the homeless supplement.
"We are seeking a response from all political parties as to what they will do about these priorities before the Royal Commission delivers its recommendations.
ACSA KEY PRIORITIES:
* Extend the short-term 9.5 per cent funding injection into residential care, tied to investing in staffing, training and other workforce matters based on local and organisational needs, until the royal commission's broader recommendations can be implemented.
* Urgent boost of 40,000 level 3 and 4 Home Care Packages (in 2019-20) that is the main cause of the backlog in waiting lists and is forcing people into hospital or residential care prematurely.
* Keep rural and regional Australians in their communities by increasing the rural and remote supplement by $10 per day.
* Address the oral health crisis in aged care with MBS provider numbers for dental hygienists or oral health therapists to prevent dental issues progressing into more serious medical issues.
* Bring forward the 30 per cent increase to the homeless supplement so that it is fully realised in the 2019/2020 year.
