Media Release | 7 September 2026
Bevan Eatts MLA
Shadow Minister for Aged Care
Shadow Minister for Aged Care, Bevan Eatts MLA, says Western Australia cannot afford to be a bystander as the number of older Australians stuck in hospital waiting for aged care reaches crisis levels across the country.
New national figures show more than 3,600 Australians are now stranded in public hospitals waiting for aged care placements or support services, up from around 2,700 a year ago. In Western Australia, the number has increased from 230 to 423 patients in just 12 months.
Mr Eatts said the figures exposed a growing failure in the aged care and health systems, but warned WA could not simply blame Canberra while hospital pressures continued to worsen.
“Western Australia has seen the number of older people stuck in hospital nearly double, yet the Cook Government has no clear strategy to reduce demand before people reach crisis point,” Mr Eatts said.
“Of course, the Commonwealth must deliver more aged care places, more Support at Home packages and faster access to care. But WA also needs a plan of its own.
“Every older Western Australian occupying a hospital bed because they have nowhere else to go is a person who has been failed by the system, and every blocked bed means longer waits for patients needing hospital treatment.”
Nationally, health ministers have warned that growing aged care delays are contributing to bed block, emergency department congestion and increased pressure on elective surgery.
Mr Eatts said the State Government should be focused on keeping older Western Australians healthier and independent for longer through practical measures that reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
“Too often the debate starts when someone is already in a hospital bed. We need to start much earlier. A serious prevention strategy would include falls prevention programs, medication reviews, stronger primary care, improved access to allied health and community nursing, and support for home modifications that help people remain safe and independent.”
People aged 65 and over account for more than half of all hospital patient days in Australia, despite making up less than one-fifth of the population.
Mr Eatts said the Cook Government should publish regular WA-specific data on falls-related admissions, potentially preventable hospitalisations, repeat presentations and hospital bed days among older Western Australians.
“The Minister can tell us how many older people stuck waiting are to leave hospital. What she can’t tell us is whether the Government is doing enough to stop people ending up there in the first place.
“The reality is that WA cannot build its way out of this challenge. We need a prevention plan, an aged care plan and a hospital demand reduction plan working together.
“Canberra must fix aged care, but the Cook Government also has a responsibility to help older Western Australians stay healthy, stay independent and stay out of hospital wherever possible.”
ENDS
