Public-sector residential aged-care services in the Polwarth region will receive a total of just under $300,000 to improve facilities and quality of care for elderly residents.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announced health services across the state will share in close to $6 million of new grants to help public aged-care facilities deliver the best possible care, now and into the future.
More than $4 million of the state-wide funding boost will go to vital refurbishments so public sector aged care facilities can meet modern, contemporary standards and provide better and safer living conditions for residents.
To help provide the highest quality care, $970,000 will be delivered to buy specialised medical equipment such as electronic beds, pressure-relieving mattresses, electronic shower chairs, mobility aids, lifting equipment, and diagnostic and treatment equipment.
A $301,000 funding boost will see more than 250 nurses working in rural public aged care facilities receive training in the comprehensive health assessment of older people, while another $639,400 is earmarked to strengthen business operations ensuring services are sustainable into the future.
The Polwarth area upgrades will include:
- Hesse Rural Health Service in Winchelsea which will receive $254,300 for the Hesse Lodge Nursing Home Improvement Project which will improve the functionality and amenity of the facility for residents.
- Colac Area Health which will receive $14,300 for aged care nurse training and new specialist equipment
- Otway Health and Community Services in Apollo Bay which will receive $14,300 for aged care nurse training and new specialist equipment
- Lorne Community Hospital which will receive $14,300 for aged care nurse training and new specialist equipment
Victoria has 182 public residential aged care facilities across Victoria providing about 5,800 places, about 86 per cent of them in rural and regional towns.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney MP:
“These state-owned facilities play a vital role in delivering aged care for vulnerable Victorians.”
In small rural communities, public providers can be the sole local provider of aged care, and are also central to the local economy and local jobs.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley:
“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to supporting people to access local quality aged care homes and services in regional and rural Victoria – and are now investing in the future of public aged care facilities.”
