Wait times for home care packages have blown out under the Albanese Labor Government, leaving some of the most vulnerable older Australians waiting an entire year to access critical care at home.
The latest quarterly report for home care packages has revealed the Government is overseeing average wait times that are more than twice as long in comparison to when the Coalition was in Government.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston said that this comes at a time when the Government should be preparing for the demand for home care packages to increase.
“The Aged Care Minister is not supporting the sector who need to prepare for the next generation of older Australians who want to stay independent in their own homes for longer.
“Recent Senate Estimates revealed that only 9,500 additional home care packages have been released by the Albanese Government, compared to the 80,000 additional home care packages the Coalition released in its last two years of government,” Senator Ruston said.
The Albanese Labor Government must provide stronger support for home care to ensure the sector is prepared for the expected increased demand.
This should include urgently implementing a national workforce strategy to ensure the sector has the resources to deliver on the care the Government promised older Australians.
ENDS
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