OTA Advocates for Allied Health in Aged Care at Parliament House

OTA was in Canberra last week to participate in a number of productive meetings on aged care. 

Christina Wyatt, our Professional Practice Advisor of Aged Care, joined Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and members of the Aged Care Working Group to attend several meetings at Parliament House on Wednesday 14 August.  The meetings provided an opportunity to discuss a model of care that embeds allied health into residential aged care, as developed by the AHPA Aged Care Working Group, including OTA.  The meetings included discussions with…

• Dr Mike Freelander, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport 
• Rebekah Sharkie, Co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Aged Care​​​​​​
• Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson on Aged Care
• Dr Helen Haines
• Senator Anne Ruston's advisor Holly Crothers 
• Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells' advisor Summer Brady   

The discussions highlighted the current allied health access and clinical care issues being experienced by residents of aged care facilities. In each meeting there was positive sentiments and acknowledgement of the value allied health bring in residential aged care and  the need for more to be done. AHPA aims to pursue these conversations further with these and other Parliamentarians to build the awareness and commitment for greater allied health access. 

Photo [L-R] Dr Helen Haines (MP), OTA's Christina Wyatt, Mirjana Jovetic from APA

Debra Parnell, our Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, joined Christina and many aged care advocates, consumers and providers at an event hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Aged Care in collaboration with COTA and OPAN, and Maggie Beer Foundation, highlighting the work undertaken by Maggie Beer in promoting and addressing the provision of nutritional and satisfying meals in residential aged care. One of the key speakers was the newly appointed Minister for Older People, Kate Thwaites, who talked of her role in taking a wholistic approach to older people and the issues impacting on them. A panel of speakers including consumers highlighted the importance of a human rights based Aged Care Act. 

Photos from Maggie Beer Event [L-R] Panel of speakers | OTA's Chrisitne Wyatt with AHPA reps and co-Chairs of Parliamentary Friends of Aged Care, Dr Mike Freelander and Rebekah Sharkie | Kate Thwaites, Minister for Older People 

The National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) met in Canberra on 14 and 15 August, with a number of important presentations, including: 

• Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care 
• Senate Anne Ruston, Shadow Minister for Aged Care
• Rebekah Sharkie MP, Co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Aged Care
• Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson on Aged Care
• Representatives from the Department of Health and Aged Care. 

There was strong support for introduction of the new Aged Care Act as soon as possible, and for the Human Rights approach of the Act, and needs based assessment to ensure people in aged care received the services they need. It was particularly pleasing to hear the recognition of the importance of allied health in aged care, and the need to address the reduction in the provision of allied health in residential aged care.  

Photos from NACA Event [L-R] Allied health reps, including OTA's Christina Wyatt, with Rebekah Sharkie, Co-chair of Parliamentary friends of Aged Care | Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson on aged care with OTA's Christina Wyatt