In a further ominous sign for Australia’s aged care industry, more than 3,000 elderly patients are stuck in state hospital emergency rooms. This unprecedented crisis has led to unprecedented calls for action from health officials and just as importantly from politicians. Things have gotten much worse, an increase of more than 25 percent in three months alone. Health Minister Mark Butler has urged the federal government to take part in an annual meeting with state health ministers. They will be convening in Brisbane on Friday morning to address the worsening climate emergency.
The federal government needs to return its share of public hospital funding to 50%—currently, it’s only committed to 42.5 percent by 2030. By 2035, that share will be 45 percent. State and territory leaders of both political parties have panned this pledge. They say it’s not enough, especially given the sad state of the aged care system. Recent estimates suggest the cost to taxpayers for these soon-to-be-stranded patients is approximately $1.2 billion per year.
The increasing cost of aged care patients trapped in hospital increases our cost of health care and should be a big concern. This scenario urgently demonstrates the need for reforms in the aged care industry. Each year, the demand for new aged care beds is about 10,600. Last fiscal year, the federal government provided only about 800 beds. This grim gap only adds to the struggles experienced by older Americans. They cannot get transferred from hospital care into appropriate aged care homes.
Growing Discontent Among State Leaders
State and territory leaders have repeatedly expressed their anger at the federal government’s failure to control aged care funding. In an uncharacteristically scathing statement, Chris Picton, South Australia’s Health Minister, described the situation as a “national disgrace.” He emphasized the immediate need to serve our most vulnerable patients.
“These people are effectively homeless, stuck in a hospital bed for months and sometimes years with nowhere to go because they can’t get a federal government aged care bed.” – Chris Picton
Ryan Park, the New South Wales Health Minister, cut through the platitudes and fake outrage with his own outburst, reacting to the situation with disgust. He stated, “I’m deeply, deeply furious about what is happening because it is not fair on those patients.” Park highlighted the risks that older patients experience when they stay in hospitals longer than needed. For one, he explained that the longer someone stays in a hospital, the more likely they are to contract hospital-acquired infections, suffer a fall, or experience delirium.
“Hospitals are not places where, particularly older people or people with a disability, should be for weeks and months on end.” – Ryan Park
State leaders are understandably concerned that the federal government’s current funding model is reaching its limits. It fails to properly address the pressing concerns of aged care residents.
Federal Government’s Response and Future Commitments
In response to the outcry from state leaders, Mark Butler acknowledged the pressures facing hospital systems across Australia and highlighted efforts to work cooperatively with states. As he elaborated, that increasing elderly population is going to continue making things difficult on the healthcare providers themselves.
“Right across the country — right across the world — given the aging of that post-war baby boom our hospital systems are facing pressure … so we’re trying to work cooperatively with states to relieve pressure across a range of areas.” – Mark Butler
Critics say the federal government’s latest offer of $2 billion over four years falls short. They believe, in short, that it fails to match the moment—to do what is genuinely essential to relieve current strains. Tim Nicholls pointed out that “the current offer is not going to meet the requirements of the states and territories in terms of what we know we need in order to be able to reach the agreement that the prime minister and first ministers signed off on in 2023.”
Anne Ruston, Shadow Health Minister, condemned the government as failing to keep track of nearly $7 billion in expected aged care funding. She asserted that it is unacceptable for the federal government to make promises during an election campaign only to abandon them afterward.
“That’s not the way a responsible, mature government conducts itself.” – Anne Ruston
Ruston drove home the government’s massive culpability for its failures to address this issue. He urged for Congress to take swift action to correct the shortfall.
The Path Forward
With the last meeting of 2023 on the horizon, all parties will be looking for some common ground forged through meaningful discussions between Washington and the states. Both parties must acknowledge that resolving this crisis requires collaboration and commitment to long-term solutions.
The deepening crisis of aged care beds is not just a matter of money. It presents a dangerous obstacle to delivering the right care to our most vulnerable communities. The stakes don’t get higher than this, as millions of people in their lives, livelihoods and health support access to affordable, connected services.
As we move forward in these conversations, let’s make sure that everyone involved keeps patients’ best interests at heart. Collectively, they have a part to play in achieving a strong resolution that meets current and future aged care needs.
