Catholic Health Australia is calling on the next federal government to support not-for-profit health and aged care providers to deal with climate-related disasters, such as extreme heatwaves and floods.
The peak body, which represents 80 hospitals and 350 aged care facilities, is calling for a national approach to climate planning in the health sector, ensuring that all health care providers can work together on risk assessments, decarbonisation, and emergency preparedness.
“When a climate-driven disaster strikes, health systems need to function as a network, not in silos,” said Catholic Health Australia chief executive Jason Kara.
“The next government should support greater collaboration between public and not-for-profit providers to ensure our hospitals and aged care facilities can respond effectively.”
Many hospitals in Australia operate in co-located settings where public and private facilities exist side by side, yet they are often unable to share resources, procurement strategies, or emergency preparedness plans.
Without a shared strategy, the health sector remains fragmented in its response to climate change.
Catholic Health Australia is calling for:
● Greater coordination between government and not-for-profit providers on climate and health risk assessments, adaptation planning, capability building and green procurement guidelines
● A government-led sector-wide decarbonisation roadmap for not-for-profit health and aged care providers
● Support for scenario planning and emergency preparedness, and the transition to low-carbon operations for the not-for-profit aged care facilities
● Consistent waste management policies across jurisdictions for health and aged care providers
To learn more about Election 2025, visit our website at cha.org.au/campaigns.
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Government must help not for profit health and aged care providers deal with climate change (CHA)
