Unlocking Capacity: How Health and Aged Care Must Work Together
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December 10, 2025
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Australia’s health and aged care systems are currently under immense pressure. Demand for aged care is growing as more older Australians require support, yet supply, funding and workforce capacity are struggling to keep pace. Hospitals continue to feel the strain, with delayed discharges impacting patient flow throughout the hospital, including emergency department congestion and longer elective surgery waitlists. This is in part because older people potentially remain in hospital inpatient care when they could be supported through the aged care system at home or in residential care.
In collaboration with senior leaders in the health and aged care sectors, FTI Consulting’s Health & Human Services team have developed a three-part series focusing on this challenge.
In Part One, we explore aged care demand and supply and outline the growing interdependence between the aged care and hospital sectors, resulting in significant pressures in both. In Part Two, we further explore why flow for older patients within hospitals is being blocked and clarify the role hospitals play. Part Three will explore potential solutions across health, aged care and beyond to address this issue.
Unlocking Capacity Report Series
Part One: Understanding the Current State of Play in Aged Care
As more Australians reach their mid-80s, the hospital and aged care sectors must prepare for higher complex care demands. Whilst there has been recognition of the challenges with older Australians in hospital, the approach has often been a response without understanding the root cause. Part One of our series explores how this is a multi-factor challenge with no single fix.
Part Two: Inside the Factors Contributing to Delayed Discharge
Access to aged care is the most visible element of the capacity challenge within Australia’s hospital system, but the reasons why patients cannot leave hospital when clinically ready are more nuanced. Part Two of our series examines the underlying reasons why flow for older patients within hospitals is being blocked and clarifies the role hospitals play in this challenge.
Part Three: A Path Forward
Part Three in our series will explore potential solutions across health, aged care and beyond to address this issue. We look forward to sharing that with you early in 2026. If you are interested in registering to receive Part Three, please email via the link below.
Related Information
Published
December 10, 2025
Key Contacts
Head of FTI Consulting Health, Australia
Senior Managing Director