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IRT welcomes Productivity Commission draft report
Leading not-for-profit lifestyle and care provider, IRT has welcomed the draft report of the Productivity Commission Inquiry – Caring for Older Australians released today.
Acting CEO, Mr Craig Hamer said aged care is becoming an increasingly important issue as the population ages and the community recognises the failings of the current system.
“Supporting our seniors, particularly our more frail elders, to the highest standards of dignity and respect is a societal responsibility and a best measure of a humane society,” Mr Hamer said.
Mr Hamer said IRT was pleased that the report had adopted a number of key recommendations from its submission to the Productivity Commission.
“Key recommendations included in the draft report include removing distinctions between care levels, removing caps and per capita bed licences, reducing regulatory burdens and creating a one-stop-shop for aged care. These recommendations have all been adopted in the Productivity Commission’s draft proposals,” he said.
Excerpts from Caring for Older Australians – Summary of draft proposals:
“Remove distinction between residential high care and low care places and discontinue the extra service category.”
“Remove restrictions on the number of community care packages and residential care bed licences.”
“Identify and remove, as far as possible, onerous duplicate and inconsistent regulations.”
“Establish an Australian Seniors Gateway Agency to provide information, assessment, care coordination and carer referral services, to be delivered via a regional network.”
Mr Hamer said IRT was keen to learn more about the practical implementation of the proposals over the coming weeks.
“The draft report is only the first step in the much needed overhaul of the aged care system. We are currently absorbing the detail of the 500 page report and look forward to being part of the process going forward,” he said.
IRT will make a further submission to the Productivity Commission in March, based on the draft report.
For further information please contact:
Deborah De Santis
Media Advisor
Phone: 0403 121 651
