A crises parly caused by decades of market driven reform

photo courtesy of ABC News and Micaela Rehle, file photo Reuters)

The crises in the aged care sector is indicative of what lies ahead for the human and communty service sector more broadly.

It is the culmination of 2 decades of market driven reform in which the provision of care and the delivery of human services is marketized, privatized and corporatized.

The report below is from ABC News:

The aged care sector in WA says nursing homes are sacking staff and cutting services in a bid to stay viable, following an overhaul of Commonwealth funding.

Providers predict they will receive up to $24,000 less for each elderly person in their care, under the new funding arrangements.

The head of Aged and Community Services WA, Stephen Kobelke, will attend crisis talks with dozens of stakeholders today.

He says the cuts have put pressure on an industry already struggling to cope.

"Is it sustainable to remain in residential aged care?

"They're the things they'll start to look at; WA providers are deeply concerned about their ability to operate, or in fact their desire to do so.

"They want to look after older people but they've got to have the tools."

Mr Kobelke warns companies have no choice but to cut services and staff.

"Rural providers have already needed to start some sort of downsizing," he said.

Mr Kobelke says the industry is already doing it tough thanks to WA's workforce shortages, building costs and isolation.