As one of Australia’s largest aged care providers, we’ve seen firsthand how the increase in Award wages for aged care workers has helped fill vital gaps in our workforce, particularly in regional areas.
We also support the provision of additional funding to help address long stay challenges for older people transitioning from extended stays in hospitals into more appropriate aged care settings. Appropriate funding is critical to ensure the care of older Australians and the long-term sustainability of the aged care sector, and we look forward to continued action on this.
We welcome confirmation on the date of implementation of the new Aged Care Act, which provides the sector with certainty on how to prepare for these important changes.
Further modernisation of our health system through the continued investment in My Health Record will strengthen Australian’s world-class, mixed health care system. These improvements in digital health care will create a more connected health care experience with consumers at its centre. With ongoing cost of living challenges, we remain committed to ensuring our health system continues to deliver high quality, accessible and affordable care for all Australians.
The Government’s funding for mental health and support for women living with endometriosis is also a welcome commitment and a step in the right direction to help fast-track solutions to these critical health and wellbeing issues.
The pandemic led to Australians prioritising their health more than ever before, and we urge the Government to continue to prioritise reform in the private health sector to meet the changing health and wellbeing needs of Australians. Policy settings need to be updated so we can provide more value for customers, offer greater out of hospital care, and incentivise higher participation by younger people.
We look forward to working with the Federal Government and our partners across our sector to help implement these important reforms and continue to provide key healthcare services to our residents, customers, and the community.
rs, offer greater out of hospital care, and incentivise higher participation by younger people.
We look forward to working with the Federal Government and our partners across our sector to help implement these important reforms and continue to provide key healthcare services to our residents, customers, and the community.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Christina Patsias
External Communications Manager, Bupa
Email: christina.patsias@bupa.com.au
Mob: 0423 060 614
About us:
About Bupa Asia Pacific
Bupa is an international healthcare group which has been committed to a purpose of helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world for more than 70 years.
Bupa Asia Pacific operates in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, supporting about 7.3 million customers through a broad range of health and care services including health insurance, aged care, dental, medical, optical, and hearing services.
Employing more than 22,000 people in the region, we believe that we can make a real difference to the lives of customers through our values, purpose and the way that we deliver personalised care.
Over the past 17+ years we have invested more than AUD$36 million in partnerships and programs focused on improving health of communities across Australia.