Increased access to sub-acute care
The Government will provide states and territories with over $1.6 billon in capital and recurrent funding to deliver and operate over 1,300 new sub-acute care beds nationally by 2013-14.
Increased access to sub-acute care fact sheet (PDF 41 KB)
How will the funding work?
What has the Australian Government done so far to improve access to sub-acute care?
Many older Australians are unnecessarily admitted to hospital due to a lack of appropriate
sub-acute care services, particularly in the community.
Subacute care includes rehabilitation, palliative care, mental health and geriatric services, in both hospitals and the community. Subacute care can significantly improve patients’ health and quality of life by restoring their independence, allowing them to live with as much comfort and dignity as is possible.
The Australian Government is taking action through its National Health and Hospitals Network.
The Government will provide states and territories with over $1.6 billon in capital and recurrent funding to deliver and operate over 1,300 new sub-acute care beds nationally by 2013-14.
How will the funding work?
A total of over $1.6 billion in capital and recurrent funding will be provided to the states and territories to deliver and operate over 1,300 new sub-acute care beds nationally by 2013-14. This will improve the health outcomes and quality of life of patients requiring sub-acute care services, while also reducing the pressure on public hospitals.Funding will flow from 2010-11 to ensure that immediate capacity is delivered into the public hospital system. This is a fully funded commitment in real new dollars.
Funding will be distributed through a New Beds Guarantee National Partnership between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. The Commonwealth will contribute both the capital and recurrent funding, and the states will guarantee that a certain number of beds would be delivered over each of the next four years. Annual payments will be subject to agreed implementation plans including performance requirements.
The Commonwealth and the states and territories will commit to the bed number target contained in the measure being new, additional beds into the system. The new beds could be provided in both hospitals and the community.
What has the Australian Government done so far to improve access to sub-acute care?
The Government has already provided $500 million in subacute funding to expand sub-acute care services by 20 per cent over four years from 2009-10.Further information on the National Health and Hospitals Network is at www.yourhealth.gov.au
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