Invitation to influence the direction of aged care reform: consultation process
You are invited to have your say in the development of a new ‘front end’ for aged care including the aged component of Home and Community Care.
This initiative will assist older Australians, carers, and their families to more easily access information, assessment and links to aged care services.
This initiative is part of the National Health and Hospitals Network reform, agreed by the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers of states and territories on 20 April 2010, and are part of the broader Australian Government Health Reform process.1
Commencing in November 2010, service providers, local governments, peak bodies, and the workforce will be asked to provide their thoughts and ideas about the proposed changes to the aged care system. Initially, these consultations will take place in capital cities and continue early next year in regional Australia.
As part of the consultation process, you are also invited to complete an online survey to help shape improvements in information, intake and assessment for aged care. This survey is available at www.yourhealth.gov.au and will continue through to Monday 31 January 2011, and is expected to take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
In early 2011, a range of focus groups will also be held, including sessions targeting care recipients and their carers. These consultations will provide the opportunity for participants to share their views, assist in system change, highlight the strengths of the current system and raise issues to consider. Participants wishing to understand the context for the development of a new ‘front end’ for aged care may wish to read the discussion paper on Improving Information, Intake and Assessment.The discussion paper is also intended to start conversations and generate views throughout the consultation process.
The reforms will support the delivery of Australia’s aged care system now, and into the future.
The schedule below outlines consultation locations and times:
Consultation Schedule - November - December 2010
| Consultation state/territory | Date | Location | Time/s |
|---|---|---|---|
| QLD | Tuesday 16 November | Brisbane | 09.00 – 12.00 |
| Tuesday 16 November | Brisbane | 13.30 – 16.30 | |
| NSW | Thursday 18 November | Sydney | 09.30 – 12.30 |
| Thursday 18 November | Sydney | 13.30 – 16.30 | |
| ACT | Friday 19 November | Canberra | 09.30 – 12.30 |
| NT | Wednesday 24 November | Darwin | 14.00 – 17.00 |
| Thursday 25 November | Alice Springs | 10.00 – 12.30 | |
| SA | Tuesday 30 November | Adelaide | 09.00 – 12.00 |
| Tuesday 30 November | Adelaide | 13.00 – 16.00 | |
| VIC | Tuesday 14 December | Melbourne | 09.30 – 12.30 |
| Tuesday 14 December | Melbourne | 13.30 – 16.30 | |
| TAS | Thursday 16 December | Hobart | 09.00 – 12.00 |
If you would like to play your part in contributing to aged care reforms, please RSVP to: agedcareconsultations@health.gov.au with your name, organisation (if applicable), the date and time of the consultation that you would like to attend.
If you are unable to participate in the consultations, but would still like to provide input into the reform process please email us at agedcareconsultations@health.gov.au to register your interest in attending a focus group.
For further information about the upcoming consultation process, please call the Aged Care Consultation Information Line on 1800 057 616.
We look forward to your participation.
Kind regards,
Tracy Mackey
Assistant Secretary
Ageing and Aged Care Division
Department of Health and Ageing
Rachel Balmanno
Assistant Secretary
HACC Reform Branch
Department of Health and Ageing
1 Note: The Western Australian government did not agree to the National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement, and the Home and Community Care transition process will not apply to Victoria.
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