❓ WA Minister for Health addresses concerns regarding potential Commonwealth funding cuts to aged care, highlighting discussions with the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and ongoing review by the Commonwealth government. The minister acknowledges WA's lower proportion of aged-care beds as a significant issue.
AnsweredQoN 915Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AGED CARE — COMMONWEALTH FUNDING
915. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the more than $80 million
in commonwealth cuts over three years in recurrent funding for complex health
care for aged-care providers, which will result in new residents having their
funding reduced by more than 10 per cent and existing patients potentially
being reassessed as new patients from 1 January 2017.
(1) What representation has been
made to the commonwealth government to not lose that funding?
(2) What impact will these funding
changes have on the state's health system?
(3) Has the
minister or the Premier requested that this issue be put on the agenda for the
next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments or health ministers?
915. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the more than $80 million
in commonwealth cuts over three years in recurrent funding for complex health
care for aged-care providers, which will result in new residents having their
funding reduced by more than 10 per cent and existing patients potentially
being reassessed as new patients from 1 January 2017.
(1) What representation has been
made to the commonwealth government to not lose that funding?
(2) What impact will these funding
changes have on the state's health system?
(3) Has the
minister or the Premier requested that this issue be put on the agenda for the
next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments or health ministers?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
am aware of proposed changes to the funding of aged-care places by the
commonwealth government. As I understand it, over the forward estimates, some
adjustments have had to be made to the commonwealth budget to accommodate the
services provided within the amount that is allocated through the commonwealth
budget, and that has resulted in a proposed reduction in the funding available
for some places at least. An adjustment has been made to what is known as the
aged-care funding instrument. I have taken up this issue with the Assistant
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, who, of course, is a Western Australian
member of Parliament. It was the subject of our discussions in a meeting that I
had with him about broader aged-care issues in Western Australia and I have
also written to him in my capacity as a local member of Parliament. As I understand
it, this issue is under review by the commonwealth government. Obviously, I do
not have an outcome at this stage. It is up to the commonwealth government to
consider the concerns that have been raised, take them seriously and hopefully
provide an appropriate response so that the needs of aged-care patients in Western
Australia are adequately provided for.
Ms
M.M. Quirk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen!
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : As I mentioned in here previously, Western Australia does have
a lower proportion of aged‑care beds than just about every other, if not
every other, jurisdiction in Australia and it is a significant issue. It is, as
I said, something that has been the subject of discussions between me and the
federal minister.
am aware of proposed changes to the funding of aged-care places by the
commonwealth government. As I understand it, over the forward estimates, some
adjustments have had to be made to the commonwealth budget to accommodate the
services provided within the amount that is allocated through the commonwealth
budget, and that has resulted in a proposed reduction in the funding available
for some places at least. An adjustment has been made to what is known as the
aged-care funding instrument. I have taken up this issue with the Assistant
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, who, of course, is a Western Australian
member of Parliament. It was the subject of our discussions in a meeting that I
had with him about broader aged-care issues in Western Australia and I have
also written to him in my capacity as a local member of Parliament. As I understand
it, this issue is under review by the commonwealth government. Obviously, I do
not have an outcome at this stage. It is up to the commonwealth government to
consider the concerns that have been raised, take them seriously and hopefully
provide an appropriate response so that the needs of aged-care patients in Western
Australia are adequately provided for.
Ms
M.M. Quirk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen!
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : As I mentioned in here previously, Western Australia does have
a lower proportion of aged‑care beds than just about every other, if not
every other, jurisdiction in Australia and it is a significant issue. It is, as
I said, something that has been the subject of discussions between me and the
federal minister.
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