Following the Aged Care Royal Commission's final report, the government indicated its commitment to transform the aged care sector. Part of this is a new aged care system which is underpinned by a rights-based Aged Care Act. While the government has broadly welcomed the recommendation in the Royal Commission's final report, it has not committed to adopting all of the 148 recommendations.

In the lead up to further funding announcements by the government, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, discussed with us some of the sector's critical issues and questions.

Government priorities

Minister Hunt talked about respect, care and dignity as the key principles underpinning the government's priorities in the aged care sector.

He outlined five pillars that drew from the work of the Royal Commission, which will inform the government's plan:

1. A look at home care, considering that more people are staying home for longer
2. The focus on safety and quality, and a new Aged Care Act to enable processes and governance standards
3. Services and sustainability, and the viability challenge that the Residential Care Sector faces with people coming into residential aged care at a later stage, and with higher needs
4. The workforce and its critical role in supporting the sector.
5. The role of governance.

He emphasised the importance of a viable sector for aged care organisations, but above all else for each one of us as humans – "a system that gives greater weight to respect and to care and to dignity".

Opportunities from the Aged Care Royal Commission

Minister Hunt reflected on the role of the workforce and the support it needs, as well as the opportunities around the integration of aged care and health care.

"What we take out from the Royal Commission is… the need for better primary health care within the aged care system. And that means access to doctors, nurses, allied health workers and all of that will be part of our conception. And we realise that as we respond to the Commission, the providers cannot simply deliver this without the support to do it. So our job, our task, our watch, is to deliver that support." The Hon. Greg Hunt MP

He also discussed supporting the home care model, financing and funding and government's role – together with the sector.

"One of the big things that has always been clear would come out of the Royal Commission is that balance between at home and greater weight given to that societal preference, and then for those that are in residential care with higher needs and the additional viability in the facilities so that they can provide the issue of support for those in care." The Hon. Greg Hunt MP

Watch the full video to find out more about:

• Government priorities
• Workforce
• Integrating aged care and health
• Care at home
• Financing and funding
• Government's role