anika wells

New year, same aged care crisis: Longer wait times, facility closures and hospital strain

Recent government data reveals that wait times for accessing aged care services have continued to grow year-on-year. The Productivity Commission's…

Minister for Aged Care promoted to Labor cabinet

Minister for Aged Care and Sport Anika Wells has benefitted from a recent party reshuffle, in which Prime Minister Anthony…

Life and death on the waitlist

An 86-year-old Adelaide Hills man has tragically personified the problem's surrounding assessments in the aged care system, requesting euthanasia under…

Govt. funds targeted research into infection prevention

Healthcare-associated infections are the most common hospital-acquired complication in Australia, leading to readmissions, poorer patient outcomes and increased emotional and…

$200 million more capital assistance to regions

The Albanese government has announced round two of the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program, making a further $200 million available…

Is minister’s praise of care minutes consistent with data?

The Aged Care Minister praised the increase in direct care minutes despite data revealing that less than half of the…

Aged Care Taskforce recommends wealth-based funding

The aged care taskforce has rejected the idea of a levy to cover the sector's costs and has recommended older…

Aged care minister applauds “ambitious reforms” as facilities continue to struggle

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells has commended the Albanese Government's "ambitious" aged care reforms despite facilities struggling to reach…

Govt allocates more than $2 billion to “boost” aged care wages

The Federal Government announced that over $2 billion is being invested to "boost" aged care wages. December 1 marked not…

Federal Government unveils new program for food and nutrition

Australian chef Maggie Beer and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have teamed up to introduce an innovative program focused on food…

Opposition refutes Labor’s 98 per cent claim

An article by The Australian claimed the government’s promise of 24/7 registered nurses remained unfulfilled, despite last week's announcement. Government…

‘Older people must be consulted’: Peak advocacy bodies call for public feedback

The federal government has asked for feedback from caregivers, stakeholders, older people, their families, and their carers on the framework…

Albanese Government delivers 24/7 nursing mandate

The Albanese Government has fulfilled its promise of implementing the 24/7 nursing mandate across aged care facilities. From July 1,…

How two women are fighting for reform in the aged care sector

In 2019, Amina Schipp met Yvonne Buters through a private Facebook support group when Amina’s mother died due to a…

‘Still no sign’: Aged care homes still waiting for COVID-19 reimbursement

Aged care homes are being pushed further into debt as they are left guessing when an estimated half a billion…

Aged care task force considers all funding options for sector

A Federal Government task force assigned to find a long-term solution for sustainable aged care funding has suggested wealthier individuals…

Labor breaks 24/7 nursing deadline

Labor has admitted it will miss its self-imposed deadline to have 24/7 registered nurses on-site at every Australian aged care…

‘Lost our focus’: increased regulation distracting sector, expert says

The ramping up of regulation in aged care over the past two years has led to providers and staff losing…

Concerns raised over new home care package rules

The federal government has rejected accusations it limited access to medication and walking assistance in its updated Home Care Package…

Aged care minister reveals glimpse of providers’ star rating

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has given a sneak preview into the star rating system and how well aged care…

Major changes aged care can expect in 2023

After a year of rapid changes around laws and mandates in aged care, the sector is looking ahead to more…

Ageing population care sectors ‘next great test’

Aged care providers will buckle under Australia's ageing population unless swift action is taken to meet an oncoming wave of…

Time to get to work and face the challenges of aged care reform – opinion

It is easy to be cynical about the new Australian government’s very first legislative bill to receive the endorsement of…

Labor pitches ‘meaningful’ wage rise for aged care sector

The federal government will make a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) today to propose a pay rise for…

‘There’s no one magic bullet’: Aged Care Minister speaks about sector in crisis

As the short-staffed aged care sector braces itself for the impending Covid peak, the government has released new measures to…