ACSA and CHA announce Memorandum of Understanding

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) and Catholic Health Australia (CHA) today announced a shared service agreement the two bodies believe will make working for aged care reform more efficient for aged care consumers and the members of ACSA and CHA.

“Reform of aged care has in part been made possible by the united single voice that aged care providers have used with government,” ACSA CEO Patrick McClure said.

“I am keen for the aged care community to continue working closely together as we have over the last three years in building the case for reform.  As so many Catholic aged care organisations are members of ACSA, it makes sense for us to share resources,” CHA CEO Martin Laverty said.

ACSA and CHA have entered into an agreement that will see Mr Nick Mersiades, currently CHA’s Senior Aged Care Policy Advisor, providing policy and strategic advice to ACSA.

The Memorandum of Understanding entered into by ACSA and CHA, which will be in place until June 30, 2012, will see Mr Mersiades seconded from CHA to ACSA for three days of each week.

Mr Mersiades will continue in his current role at CHA for two days each week, and will continue to represent CHA on the aged care Minister’s Expert Ageing Reference Group.

ACSA, which is seeking to establish a permanent office in Canberra, will also utilise CHA’s office facilities in Deakin as part of the agreement.