CATHOLIC Health Australia (CHA) has welcomed the recognition by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott that non-government health services have an important role to play in caring for Australians.
CHA chief executive officer Martin Laverty said he was also pleased to hear Mr Rudd acknowledge during the leaders’ health debate at the National Press Club, Canbarra, on March 23, that thousands of hospital beds could be freed up by expanding access to aged care.
“However we remain disappointed at the lack of detail from either the Government or the Opposition on the specific proposals that would ensure all Australians have access to quality health and aged care,” Mr Laverty said
“There was much talk about the past, but very little about how to better serve those people in our community who are most in need.
“And while it is heartening to see that both sides of politics appreciate the vital role of non-government health providers in Australia, we need to hear more on how they plan to better use the mix of public and non-government health services.”
CHA has asked the Prime Minister to provide detail on the design, size and roles of the Government’s proposed Local Hospital Networks, how non-government hospitals fit into the networks, and how the Government planned to integrate primary care and hospital networks.
Mr Laverty acknowledged the Prime Minister’s commitment to 2000 transitional aged-care beds, but said CHA would still like to see the Government’s full plans for reforming aged care.
“The Government should immediately release the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission inquiry into aged care and outline the Government’s blueprint to provide for access, choice and sustainability in aged care,” he said.
