Bishops’ Meeting: Increased focus on needs of aged

Sydney
8 June 2003

Bishops’ Meeting: Increased focus on needs of aged

The Catholic Church is placing an increased focus on the needs of ageing people who live outside an aged care facility.

Catholic Health Australia says with the ageing population, and increasing demand on hospital beds, the care and support of elderly people in their homes requires urgent attention.

In addition, the Bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Peter Ingham, has recently issued a pastoral letter on ageing, calling for “a vibrant, intergenerational community of faith where people of all ages and abilities both give and receive pastoral care - all called to holiness, to community, to service and to developing in faith and goodness”.

The chief executive officer of Catholic Health Australia, Francis Sullivan, and Sr Helen Delaney RSM addressed the bishops’ meeting on the topic of planning for aged care as well as issues surrounding Catholic hospitals, ethical standards and education and ministry formation.

Catholic Health Australia also reported on its ongoing advocacy in the areas of Medicare, palliative care, mental health and private health cover.