As part of their Federal Election Platform entitled ‘A New Deal For Older Australians’ and released last week, COTA identified key priorities for older health care consumers, specifically access to affordable and quality health care, which is consistently identified as a priority issue for older Australians. This includes access to primary health care, hospital-based services, medications and information, and activities that help people age well.
COTA’s election panel is also concerned that access is being restricted with difficulties in getting to see General Practitioners, as well as longer waiting times for specialist and hospital procedures across the full range of health services. They are also concerned the quality of the services and the lack of many services outside of metropolitan areas.
Read the full COTA 2013 Election Platform.