Care must be integrated through PCEHR
The National E-Health Translation Authority (NEHTA) has announced it will offer funding to private hospitals in order to integrate their systems to the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR), but a peak aged care body claims it is essential aged services are also included.
Patrick Reid, LASA chief executive, claims the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) can have a positive impact on the needs of the increasing ageing population.
Integration between the acute setting and home/residential aged care brings with it great opportunity and the real promise of better care and a significant reduction in costs, Leading Age Services (LASA) claims.
“LASA has strongly advocated that age services be recognised, considering age service providers come second only to the state health system in volume. To date industry integration has not been supported and yet it is crucial to better care and reducing unnecessary costs,” says Patrick Reid, LASA chief executive.
“The PCEHR can have a very positive impact on the needs of the increasing ageing population. It is a revolution for consumers and health care providers, but still age services are being left behind,” Mr Reid says.
The PCEHR represents a national infrastructure that enables consumers to use primary care, state hospitals and the aged care sector.
Mr Reid, on behalf of the age services industry, calls on Health Minister, Peter Dutton, to take steps to urgently fund aged care providers to integrate their systems with the PCEHR.
“An integrated health system is a good example of public policy but it is being set up for failure by excluding millions of Australians and their health care providers,” Mr Reid says.
“The number of older Australians engaged in Commonwealth funded health and aged care demonstrates the urgent need to support our industry; Between the Commonwealth’s funded aged care package program, Home and Community Care Program and Veterans Home Care there are about 930,000 care recipients. It is expected this number will rise to 2.8 million over the next 30 years.
“LASA has sought an urgent meeting with Minister Dutton and NEHTA CEO Peter Fleming with a view to progressing PCEHR support for age services. As a representative of frontline care workers we understand the positive impacts that PCEHR integration would have, we also understand the environment the government is working within. With a commitment to a co-designed approach I am confident that Minister Dutton and I will share the desire to enhance the care of older Australians and divert unnecessary funding to areas of greater need.”
