The National Health and Hospital Reform Report purports to provide the basis for a series of promised reforms to Australia's system of health care.

It is 'the culmination of 16 months of discussion, debate, consultation, research and deliberation by a team dedicated to the cause of strengthening and improving our health system for this and future generations of Australians'...

There are 123 recommendations. Recommendations 42 to 57 relate to matters concerning aged care. Many more recommendations pertain to general issues which affect the health and well-being of frail, aged people. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Health and Ageing are spending 6 months consulting with the personnel of hospitals and various health providers. 
One section (1.2) of the Report is entitled, 'Fostering genuine participation'. Here it is stated ‘that we need to have robust processes that promote and value the participation of the community’. Now who could argue with that?

Sadly, there is a poor track record of governments talking to aged-care consumers and their families. Frail, aged people themselves have had little input to current policies and practice. They are, on the whole, a pretty easy bunch to push around and policy decisions are mostly made by fit, youngish, mid-career bureaucrats and political advisors. The spectre of a frail old age with the subsequent loss of autonomy and control might seem a long way away when you are in Canberra and in full-flight career mode! 

It is time for this to change. Many families have had experience with the provision of aged-care services in this country and many individuals have much to say and want to make a contribution. One assumes that the various peak bodies will participate in the consultation discussions about this important Report.  And so they should. But so too should independent advocates - groups like Aged Care Crisis and the various other advocacy groups.

Many aged-care homes have resident support groups. It would be good to see efforts made to hear the voices of the individuals who comprise these groups. Here we have people who are currently experiencing all the ups and downs of aged care. Who better to comment on the wisdom and efficacy of the recommendations?

Chapter 7 of the Report outlines the need for routine monitoring of the views of consumers and clinicians about their confidence about the health system. Here’s hoping that includes consumers of aged care - and that the view no longer prevails that there comes a time when you are too old for your opinions to be worth anything much at all.