Published Tuesday, 28 August, 2007 at 09:50 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
$400,000 WASTED EVERY DAY FROM LACK OF NURSING HOMES
Approximately $400,000 is being wasted every day in Queensland public hospitals because there are not enough nursing home places for our elderly population, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson, addressing an Ageing Population Summit in Brisbane, said the Howard Government had clearly failed in its aged care responsibilities.
“Every single day, our hospitals are caring for an average 468 patients who need not be occupying an acute care bed,” Mr Robertson said.
“That is one in 20 of our inpatients who should be cared for in a nursing home or in some form of community care, but there is nowhere for them to go but a hospital ward.
“The average daily cost to Government of an acute public hospital bed is around $1,000.
“The average daily cost to Government of a residential aged care bed is just over $100.
“That means we are spending at least $460,000 every day caring for inpatients who really only require around $50,000 worth of aged care or community care services.
“Queensland hospitals admit, on average, 7,718 patients every day.
“But we could admit more Queenslanders for hospital treatment if the Commonwealth would only do the right thing and open up more high care nursing home places.
“This is a blatant cost shifting exercise which is clogging up our public hospitals.”
Mr Robertson said the State had played its part in finding and implementing solutions to health care problems within the ageing population.
“Queensland Health has demonstrated an ongoing investment and commitment to improving partnerships with the general practice sector,” he said.
“Through various initiatives we are improving access to preventive and primary care services, promoting innovation in community health, building links between GPs and community nursing providers and tackling chronic disease.
“We are making strides in strengthening the primary care sector to ensure a greater focus on prevention so that people stay healthy longer.
“As a result we would see people get faster, more comprehensive attention in the community – not a hospital - for conditions which could worsen if not managed appropriately.”
Mr Robertson said Australian governments needed the courage to enforce policies that may take many years to prove their worth.
“For example there is international evidence showing health systems that focused on primary care achieved better health outcomes for lower overall cost than systems focused on specialist or tertiary care,” he said.
“We have to place emphasis on community-based prevention which will, in the long term, reduce the demand and high costs of acute care provision.”
Mr Robertson said home care, independent living and conditions that are treated closer in the community not only cost significantly less than hospital care, but it was more effective.
“This is not just about saving money for Governments and our health system.
“There is evidence that people stay healthy longer if they maintain strong connections with their family, neighbours and community.
“We need to find smart ways for more older Australians to enjoy these opportunities. People want to stay at home for as long as possible," he said.
The estimated population of Queensland aged 65 and over in 2006 was 499,855. This is projected to increase by 605,000 by 2026, representing an increase of 121%.
28 August, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Mr Robertson, addressing an Ageing Population Summit in Brisbane, said the Howard Government had clearly failed in its aged care responsibilities.
“Every single day, our hospitals are caring for an average 468 patients who need not be occupying an acute care bed,” Mr Robertson said.
“That is one in 20 of our inpatients who should be cared for in a nursing home or in some form of community care, but there is nowhere for them to go but a hospital ward.
“The average daily cost to Government of an acute public hospital bed is around $1,000.
“The average daily cost to Government of a residential aged care bed is just over $100.
“That means we are spending at least $460,000 every day caring for inpatients who really only require around $50,000 worth of aged care or community care services.
“Queensland hospitals admit, on average, 7,718 patients every day.
“But we could admit more Queenslanders for hospital treatment if the Commonwealth would only do the right thing and open up more high care nursing home places.
“This is a blatant cost shifting exercise which is clogging up our public hospitals.”
Mr Robertson said the State had played its part in finding and implementing solutions to health care problems within the ageing population.
“Queensland Health has demonstrated an ongoing investment and commitment to improving partnerships with the general practice sector,” he said.
“Through various initiatives we are improving access to preventive and primary care services, promoting innovation in community health, building links between GPs and community nursing providers and tackling chronic disease.
“We are making strides in strengthening the primary care sector to ensure a greater focus on prevention so that people stay healthy longer.
“As a result we would see people get faster, more comprehensive attention in the community – not a hospital - for conditions which could worsen if not managed appropriately.”
Mr Robertson said Australian governments needed the courage to enforce policies that may take many years to prove their worth.
“For example there is international evidence showing health systems that focused on primary care achieved better health outcomes for lower overall cost than systems focused on specialist or tertiary care,” he said.
“We have to place emphasis on community-based prevention which will, in the long term, reduce the demand and high costs of acute care provision.”
Mr Robertson said home care, independent living and conditions that are treated closer in the community not only cost significantly less than hospital care, but it was more effective.
“This is not just about saving money for Governments and our health system.
“There is evidence that people stay healthy longer if they maintain strong connections with their family, neighbours and community.
“We need to find smart ways for more older Australians to enjoy these opportunities. People want to stay at home for as long as possible," he said.
The estimated population of Queensland aged 65 and over in 2006 was 499,855. This is projected to increase by 605,000 by 2026, representing an increase of 121%.
28 August, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185