6Tasmania’s Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the number of hospital patients medically cleared but unable to be discharged would “fill three full wards,” intensifying pressure on the Commonwealth to lift investment in aged care and disability supports.
“At last count, there were 111 Tasmanians in hospital who have been medically cleared to leave… They remain in hospital because Canberra has not provided an aged care place or the appropriate NDIS support,” he said. “It’s simply not good enough – and it needs to change.”
Bed shortages are inflating hospital costs
The push comes as the States negotiate the new National Health Reform Agreement. The Commonwealth has offered an extra $20 billion over five years (on top of $195 billion already planned), but State leaders argue it won’t cover rising costs.
They say around 2,500 patients nationwide are stuck in hospital waiting for aged care, and the current offer funds only 35% of hospital costs – short of the 42.5% share States say was promised in 2023.
Providers “screening” complex residents
A new Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) report, drawing on 52,000 advocacy cases, alleges some aged care providers are “screening” out people with complex needs – worsening hospital discharge delays.
“The lack of ability to transition out of hospital care into aged care was compounded by the lack of ability and/or willingness of aged care providers to provide services to older people with complex health needs,” OPAN said.
Rockliff’s message adds pressure on the Federal Government to lift funding for both residential and home care to free up beds and ease hospital bottlenecks.
