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First Steps to Aged Care Reform: New National Info Line

Older Australians, their families, and carers will find it easier to access valuable information about aged care with the introduction of a single, national information line on 1800 200 422 from today.

"This new national phone number will consolidate the range of existing 1800 numbers, and act as the new, single point of entry for people seeking information and access to aged care services," Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler announced today.

In addition to the introduction of the single national information line, improvements have been made to Aged Care Australia website to ensure better, more comprehensive and up-to-date information is available for the growing number of people who source their information online.

"This is about simplifying the system and making it easier for older Australians, their carers and their families to find and access the aged care services they need.

"More than 1.2 million older Australians rely on aged care and with this number only set to grow as our population ages, it’s important we make practical improvements that take the confusion out of navigating a system that so many Australians rely upon." Mr Butler said.

The introduction of a single national information line and the improvements to the national aged care website are part of the Gillard Labor Government's national health reform efforts to build a nationally consistent and integrated aged care system to meet the needs of older Australians and their families.

More than $36.8 million is being invested to establish a new front end for aged care that will improve information, intake and assessment through a national aged care hub and the establishment of local care and assessment teams over the next 3 years.

The Government will continue to make the aged care system more responsive to the needs of older Australians as part of its response to the Productivity Commission’s final report into the aged care system.

For more information, contact Mr Butler’s office 02 6277 7280
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