AMA welcomes new funding for aged care
New Federal Government funding will help the chronically underfunded aged care sector to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, but much more will need to be done to address the long-term issues, says AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid.
Almost 70 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths in Australia relate to people in residential aged care, one of the highest rates in the world.
“The AMA welcomes the additional $563.3 million to extend support for the aged care sector’s response to COVID-19,” Dr Khorshid said.
“The decades-old issues in aged care have only been amplified by the pandemic, and have resulted in unnecessary deaths of our oldest and most vulnerable Australians.
“Any funding that goes toward supporting, retaining and upskilling the workforce is welcome.”
Dr Khorshid highlighted the new requirements tied to this funding ensure providers will have to report on how these funds have been used.
“Funding intended for employing clinical care leads in aged care homes must be spent for that purpose only, with accountability mechanisms in place to ensure it is,” Dr Khorshid said.
The AMA also welcomed the announcement of an additional $71.4 million for the Community Home Support Program that will enable anyone leaving nursing homes due to COVID-19 concerns to access other forms of aged care supports.
Read the full media release here.
