The National Aged Care Alliance is a representative body of peak national organisations in aged care, including consumer groups, providers, unions, and health professionals, working together to determine a more positive future for aged care in Australia.
The Alliance was formed in April 2000. Representatives attending the inaugural meeting resolved to recommend to their organisations that a united policy agenda be developed to achieve better outcomes for the care of older Australians.
Four broad issues were identified:
- consumer rights;
- quality of care;
- workforce planning; and
- short and long term financing of aged care.
Alliance members are concerned about the adequacy of aged care funding and the future sustainability of services. The funding of aged care and the establishment of industry wide benchmarks of care which link staffing levels, skills mix and funding to quality outcomes for recipients of aged care services, are the major focus.
The Alliance's vision for aged care in Australia is that:
All Australians have access to planned and properly resourced integrated quality aged care services that are flexible, equitable, that recognise diversity and promote choice and respect for users and workers.