In the News: 'Dangerous' aged-care delays

News
Written By Bevan Eatts

South Western Times 27 August 2025

Summary
Shadow Minister for Aged Care and Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the WA Government’s handling of the aged care system, citing dangerous delays and lack of regional services. He highlighted a case in Manjimup where an elderly woman waited over five months for an aged care assessment, leaving her husband without support. Eatts has proposed several reforms to address the crisis, while the State Government defended its efforts.

Key Points

  • Bevan Eatts labelled current aged care delays as “dangerous”, particularly in regional WA.

  • A Manjimup family faced a 5+ month wait for aged care assessment, leaving a 91-year-old man with Alzheimer's without support.

  • WA Auditor General reported 500 patients spent 40,000 unnecessary days in hospital (2022–23), costing the State $95 million.

  • Eatts called for:

    • Expansion of Time to Think beds to 560

    • Fast-tracking 20,000 home-care packages

    • Improved regional home-care delivery

    • Fixing ACAT delays

    • Formal support for community-led programs like “Staying in Place”

  • WA Government response:

    • $9.9M for Time to Think program

    • $100M concessional loan scheme for up to 500 aged care beds

    • 53 beds already delivered; 11 more added in Perth this week

    • Premier emphasised partnership with the Commonwealth

Bevan Eatts
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