FALL IN NURSING HOMES LICENCES
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today that the Rudd Government must act to urgently address the issues concerning the aged care industry across Australia and in particular his own electorate.
The Federal government continues to frustrate the industry describing aged care applications for 2008 – 2009 as “healthy and competitive”.
“The Rudd government can try to spin the figures as much as she likes but it is failing to adequately fund the aged care sector, which has resulted in aged care providers refusing to apply for bed licences in this year’s round of license allocations” Mr Ruddock said.
“A number of providers have previously advised the Government that they would not be applying for further bed license, nor would they be building any further aged care facilities until the Government considered undertaking funding reforms for the aged care sector.
“The 2008-2009 Aged Care Approvals Round data proves industry is serious in refusing to invest in further beds when the current ones are so unprofitable.
“With 40% of all aged care providers in Australia reporting a loss in the operation of their businesses and with 17 nursing homes in the electorate of Berowra it is clear that serious funding reforms through the budget process are required to secure the future of the aged care industry.
“The Government must undertake a fundamental review of the funding problems facing the aged care industry or our ageing population will see a continued decline in the provision of aged care services across Australia,” Philip Ruddock said