The Department of Health and Aged Care has published the National Aged Care Advisory Council (NACAC)'s communique from its 25 March meeting, the Council's first meeting since the Government released the Aged Care Taskforce Final Report.
The communique said the Council "welcomed" the recommendations in the Final Report to "simplify the funding system and reforms consumer co-contributions" but noted there are "mixed views" about reforming accommodation funding. The Final Report recommended a phasing out of Refundable Accommodation Deposits by 2035, following a review.
NACAC also noted that "criminal penalties" included in the new Aged Care Act may make it difficult to recruit in aged care, particularly at executive and board level.
"If penalties in the exposure draft remain as currently written, there may be a risk to workforce supply," the communique states.
NACAC said there is "confusion" about what is included in short-term restorative care, a vital component of the healthcare system with the capacity to reduce the number of hospital admissions and the overall burden on the health system. Restorative care must include "rehabilitation and reablement", the Council said.
NACAC was established in 2021 in response to a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Its purpose is to provide expert advice to the Government about implementation of aged care reforms, improving navigation and delivery of aged care services, and building the capability of providers and the workforce.
