Wed 27 November 2024
New Aged Care Act will improve quality of care for older Australians
The newly enshrined Aged Care Act is a monumental step towards ensuring more older Australians are better supported as they move between health care providers.
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) today welcomes the passage through the Senate of historic aged care reforms which will pave the way for older Australians to receive higher quality care across the entire care continuum.
As well as giving more rights to older Australians, AdPha says the new Act will improve transitions of care through critical funding into information and communications technology systems promised as part of the 2024-25 Federal Budget.
AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says updates and investments in ICT will make for a better-connected healthcare system allowing health professionals, including pharmacists, to provide wraparound care wherever their services are needed.
‘The new Aged Care Act is a starting point for more enhanced collaborative care across all sectors of health care.
'For years our members have been advocating for funding to ensure systems are better integrated throughout the entire care continuum.
‘The passing of these reforms means significant technology and platform maintenance and enhancements will now be funded to ensure critical aged care digital systems remain contemporary and comply with legislation.
‘Having been involved in the development of the electronic National Residential Medication Chart as well as many other digital health and electronic chart initiatives, our members know first-hand the positive impact improved systems will have on older Australians and their carers.
‘Transitions of care is an important and vulnerable point of the care journey and, when done poorly, can result in avoidable harm or re-admission to hospital.
‘For over 30 years, our members have been involved in multidisciplinary geriatric inreach and outreach programs to support safe transitions of care for older Australians.
‘Under the new Aged Care Act, our members can ensure the care services they provide are more collaborative and integrated.
‘Better integration of clinical systems across primary, acute and transitions of care will improve the quality and safety of care provided to more older Australians.’