Media Release | 13 October 2026
Bevan Eatts MLA
Shadow Minister for Aged Care
Shadow Minister for Aged Care Bevan Eatts MLA says a damning new report from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) has exposed the human cost of Western Australia’s aged care and hospital capacity crisis, with older Australians waiting longer for care as pressure across the system escalates.
ACEM’s latest State of Emergency report found only 54 per cent of older emergency department patients were admitted to a hospital bed within eight hours in 2023-24, down from 75 per cent five years earlier, while the number waiting more than 24 hours surged from 15,084 to 53,510.
“These shocking findings reinforce concerns that older Western Australians are being left waiting longer for the care they need in a health system struggling to keep pace with demand,” Mr Eatts said.
“Behind every statistic is an older Western Australian waiting longer for care as aged care pressures continue to spill into our hospitals and emergency departments. The WA Labor Health Minister can keep blaming Canberra, but shifting responsibility will not free up beds, reduce waiting times or deliver better care for older Western Australians.”
Mr Eatts said the report specifically identified responsibilities for both State and Federal Governments, including improving integration between hospitals and aged care services, increasing capacity and strengthening support for older Australians.
“The Commonwealth clearly has a major responsibility for aged care, but the State Labor Government cannot simply wash its hands of the problem while older patients remain stranded in hospital beds waiting for appropriate care.
“When older Western Australians cannot access the care they need, the consequences are felt right across the health system, increasing pressure on hospitals and emergency departments. Families do not care which level of government is responsible. They simply want their loved ones to receive timely, dignified care.”
Mr Eatts also pointed to Commonwealth data showing Western Australia continues to lag behind the nation in residential respite care provision.
In 2024-25, WA recorded 150,096 residential respite days, averaging 7.4 days per operational aged care place, compared with 13.3 days nationally.
“With National Carers Week under way, these figures raise serious questions about whether carers and families are getting the support they need to keep loved ones at home.
“The ACEM report is another warning that governments cannot continue treating aged care, hospitals and community support as separate challenges.
“Older Western Australians deserve a coordinated plan that expands aged care capacity, supports carers and eases pressure on our hospitals, not an ongoing blame game while the system continues to deteriorate.”
ENDS
