Australian & New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine

11/12/2025

More than a thousand patients are stranded in NSW hospitals, with the state government saying that many of them are waiting for federally funded aged care or disability support.

Highlighting the complexity of a system funded by both the Commonwealth and the states and territories, ANZSGM President, Sue Kurrle, warns that nationwide bed blocks require more residential aged-care beds, not simply extra home-care packages.

"It's not just numbers, it's people." - Sue Kurrle, ANZSGM President.

🎧Listen to the full interview here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/aged-care-experts-call-for-more-beds-to-address-hospital-backlog/106128320

More than a thousand patients are stranded in New South Wales hospitals, with the state government saying that many of them are waiting for federally funded aged care or disability support. The ANZSGM President, Sue Kurrle, warns that nationwide bed blocks require more residential aged-care beds, no...

06/11/2025

Geriatricians are seeing first-hand how the thousands of older Australians on assessment wait-lists are being denied timely support and dignity.

Families and insiders say Australia’s aged care crisis is deepening.
➡️ 116,000 people waiting to be assessed.
➡️ 120,000+ waiting for home care packages.

Many families are at breaking point as older Australians are having to queue to join the queue for the care they deserve.

Read the full story here:

Families and insiders say the system to assess people for aged care is in crisis, with 116,000 people on the waiting list. Once approved, they join the queue to get a home care package, which stands at more than 120,000.

14/08/2025

ACSQHC has released new guidance to support clinicians in the day to day use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools 👇

REPOST: has the potential to enhance the quality of care. See our new resources with practical guidance on how to use AI technologies safely and responsibly when providing care.

safetyandquality.gov.au/AI

08/08/2025

🖊️Frailty Nexus: Community of practice for frailty researchers and healthcare professionals - There has been success in implementing frailty education for healthcare professionals, but there remains a need to improve the knowledge and skills of researchers and healthcare professionals to develop, implement and evaluate frailty-focused research.

Read the full article here:

24/07/2025

📣 Webinar: From Research to Translation: Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing- MRFF is holding a webinar to provide information on the priorities of the MRFF’s Dementia, Ageing & Aged Care Mission, the 2025 Dementia, Ageing & Aged Care Mission grant opportunity, a recent review of the Mission & considerations from relevant policy areas.

Date: Fri, Aug 08
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM GMT+10
Online event - Learn more and register here: e824223d-e997-44ca-a9af-40dc598f2515@34a3929c-73cf-4954-abfe-147dc3517892" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e824223d-e997-44ca-a9af-40dc598f2515@34a3929c-73cf-4954-abfe-147dc3517892

22/07/2025

📣Call for Abstracts!
We are pleased to invite you to submit an abstract for the ANZSGM NZ Retreat 2025.

Date: Thursday 13 Nov to Saturday 15 Nov 2025
Venue: The Hilton Hotel, Auckland.

Find further details about the retreat and register here: www.anzsgm25.nz

10/06/2025

Monash Uni has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to update the 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia.

Join this third webinar to find out how people impacted by dementia are contributing to the development and implementation of the guidelines.

Date: Thursday 26 June
Register here: https://monash.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1p2KBtzdRSaBHhJ7AjiUrA #/registration

05/06/2025

The Federal Government announced yesterday a four-month delay to the implementation of the new Aged Care Act, including the Support at Home program. The legislation, originally set to commence on 1 July 2025, will now take effect from 1 November 2025.

The ANZSGM welcomes this decision. It reflects feedback from clinicians, aged care providers, and advocacy groups who have raised concerns about the pace of reform and the readiness of the sector.

ANZSGM President Dr Rob O’Sullivan said the delay is a prudent step. "This extension gives the sector much-needed time to ensure that older Australians are fully informed, providers are adequately prepared, and that we avoid disruption to care during the transition."

Alongside other organisations, the ANZSGM calls for clear communication and adequate lead time to support a successful rollout of the new system. We urge the Government to use this additional window to engage meaningfully with clinicians, ensure provider readiness, and invest in workforce training.

The ANZSGM will continue to advocate with sector partners for a smooth and effective implementation of the Act.

Read the open letter from Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae MP here:

This open letter from Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae MP outlines how the new Aged Care Act brief deferral will impact older people.

02/05/2025

Dr Robert O'Sullivan, President of the ANZSGM, comments on low COVID-19 booster rates in aged care and older Australians ahead of winter - ABC News

Less than half of Australia's aged care residents aged 75 years and older are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, despite being at highest risk of severe health outcomes.

04/04/2025

📢 Consultation on Assignment of Medicare Benefits for Simplified Billing Services:

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is modernising and simplifying the assignment of benefit process by creating solutions that will streamline Medicare billing for bulk billed and simplified billing services. The Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Assignment of Medicare Benefits) Act 2024, which was passed by Parliament on 2 July 2024, with Royal Assent provided on 9 July 2024, provides the basis for this work. This amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 and changes will commence on 9 January 2026, unless proclaimed earlier.

Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes to regulations and digital systems for hospital and hospital-substitute services claimed through simplified billing. Your feedback will inform consideration of the proposed changes and how to best implement them.

📅 Submissions are due by 28 March 2025.

Learn more here - https://consultations.health.gov.au/medical-benefits-division/aob-simplified-billing-feb-2025/

23/01/2025

Our next flagship 3-day conference is the BGS Spring Meeting 2025 taking place on 9-11 April in Belfast.

The programme for the event is now online. Highlights include sessions on major trauma and falls, movement disorders, dementia, end of life care, and many more. We also look forward to keynote speeches from Dr Jeremy Isaacs and Dr Jennifer Burns, plus the conference dinner!

Find out more and register: https://buff.ly/4g2Tqml

07/11/2024

The full program for the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission - National Medicines Symposium 2024 is live!

This year's Symposium, themed Appropriate Use of Medicines in an Ageing Population, brings together a diverse array of experts, healthcare leaders, and innovators for an engaging and impactful day of learning and discussion.

View the program & more info here - https://safetyandquality.tv/national-medicines-symposium-2024/