At the height of an aged care workforce crisis, the sector is facing further pressures from diminishing allied health staff, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has told a Senate hearing on the Government’s Aged Care Amendment Bill.

“We’re hearing reports from a major provider that up to 50 per cent of physiotherapists will be let go, meaning 50 per cent less physiotherapy within residential aged care,” APA President Scott Willis told the hearing on Thursday.

The Federal Government’s Aged Care Amendment Bill is a welcome first step in over-due sector reform, but more is required to meet the complex healthcare needs of older people.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and Dementia Australia are calling for timely and ongoing access to appropriately funded physiotherapy for people living with dementia.

Through a joint statement Physiotherapy and Dementia launched today, the health peak bodies united to draw attention to the critical importance of maintaining physical health, and its impact on improving mental health and wellbeing of people living with dementia.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has set out this National Reconciliation Week (NRW) to be brave and make change with their National President, a proud Palawa man, at the helm in the journey towards Closing the Gap and reconciliation.

A long-term vision for health is nowhere to be found this election campaign. The devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed a broken health care system in need of significant reform. Commitment to funding greater access to allied health and multidisciplinary care that encompasses the entire health workforce is vital.