‘More work’ needs to be done in aged-care sector as government boosts funding

A peak aged-care body has welcomed the government’s funding boost into the sector, but says more needs to be done.

The government’s $106-million package aims to lift the quality of facilities and services offered to older Australians.

The funding injection will see the powers of the new aged-care watchdog extended, with more spot checks and tougher staff training standards being on the agenda.

The government’s move comes after a string of high profile assaults against elderly Australians hit the media in recent months.

CEO of Leading Age Services Australia Sean Rooney admits there have been “regrettable failures” in the industry.

“It’s our goal to eliminate the risk of those failures,” he tells John Stanley.

“There’s 1.3 million older Australians that get access to aged-care every year and we’ve got 360,000 passionate people that do their best to deliver that care.

“In order to do that, we need to get a number of things right.”

Mr Rooney has applauded the government’s action this week, but says funding settings and workforce numbers simply aren’t right yet.

“There’s more work to be done and it needs to be done a lot quicker.”

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