The May 2023 Budget marks another step forward in strengthening Australia’s health and aged care systems.
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) congratulates the Government for embracing the challenge of systemic reform. Better access to quality palliative care is only possible when the wider health and aged care systems are strong.
With 7 in 10 Australians preferring to die at home and the number of people needing palliative care rising by 50% in the next decade, the role of GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals in delivering palliative care is increasingly important.
This Budget, and its focus on primary health, will help build the capacity of multi-disciplinary teams and the broader health system. It provides a strong foundation for ongoing reform!
However, as PCA’s pre-Budget Submission and the advice of the palliative care sector makes clear, there is a need to do more:
- Palliative care training remains a critical priority, both in primary health and aged care. The Australian Government funds a range of well-regarded training programs, but it’s not clear how these will reach key parts of the workforce – especially Registered Nurses in aged care.
- This Budget makes no mention of new investment in specialist palliative care services. If primary health is to play a greater role, then it must be supported by specialist clinicians when needed.
We acknowledge the Health Minister’s commitment to the healthcare needs of 21st Century Australia. Our ageing population and the growing burden of chronic disease means that palliative care needs to be central to that vision as demand continues to escalate.
PCA values its ongoing partnership with government, and we look forward to further discussions about how palliative care can be integrated into the ongoing reform agenda. Watch PCA,CEO Camilla Rowland take questions on Budget 2023 and read the full statement on the PCA website.
