Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler will unveil the National CALD Ageing Network (NCAN) next week in Melbourne.

NCAN – which uses the internet to connect people and organisations involved in aged care – will ensure, says its creators, that government hears loud and clear the views and experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The project – co-ordinated by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), has been developed to ensure seniors from every community have equal access to aged care services, and are confident when accessing those services.

The government’s aged care reform program will begin rolling out on 1 July 2013 with the introduction of the Aged Care Gateway – a single entry point to information on Australia’s aged care system.

The initial focus of the gateway will be on the development of a new ‘My Aged Care’ website which will publish ratings of aged care homes as well as make it easier for older people, their families and carers to access information on ageing and aged care services.
A continuing challenge for government is the integration of culturally and linguistically diverse perspectives into health delivery. Organisers say data from the NCAN initiative will inform the government’s overall strategy.

FECCA Chair Pino Migliorino told Neos Kosmos that the new National CALD Ageing Network would be a critical player representing CALD issues around Australian aged care.

“NCAN will provide an important policy discussion platform, and a vehicle for ethnic community views about aged care to be provided to the government,” said Mr Migliorino.

“It’s an important addition to the capacity of ethnic communities to know about and influence government policy and service development in the aged care area.”

Anyone with an interest or involvement in CALD ageing and aged care – from carers to community organisations is encouraged to register with NCAN on the FECCA website.

The National CALD Ageing Network (NCAN) launch takes place at AGWS, 7 Union Street, Brunswick, Victoria on Thursday 11 April at 4.00 pm.