Albanese urges states to accept $20bn health deal as aged care shortages put pressure on hospitals

With 53-day wait time for aged care assessment, advocate says some doctors are advising elderly to be admitted to hospital to speed up referral

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Anthony Albanese is pressing state and territory leaders to accept more than $20bn in extra spending for public hospitals or the federal government will pursue other options" to end a protracted standoff over health funding.

State health ministers will meet with their federal counterpart, Mark Butler, on Friday, as advocates for elderly Australians say shortages in aged care facilities are putting further pressure on overcrowded hospitals.