Boost to aged care beds in Gympie

August 2, 2021

An extra 13 aged care bed allocations will help Gympie seniors receive care while staying a part of their community, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announced today.

St Vincent’s Care Services received the 13 residential care places for its Blight Street facility as part of the 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR), which allocated over 4000 residential care places and more than 1000 short-term restorative care places worth a combined $380 million a year.

“This allocation means more Gympie seniors will be able to access care that is close to their loved ones, and they can remain a part of the community that they love,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It also means that local seniors and their families can have peace of mind and can be confident of their future at Gympie, knowing they have care options close to home.”

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said most of the new places will take effect immediately or within the next 18 months.

“I’m delighted with the response by providers that demonstrated their capacity to fast-track the delivery of quality care to senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.

Priority locations were also a focus, with more than half of the new places allocated to areas most in need, including in regional and remote Australia.

It comes as the Australian Government announced $150 million in capital grants for aged care facilities, the single largest investment in residential aged care infrastructure in Australia’s history.

This substantial investment by the Australian Government has funded 72 infrastructure projects worth, on average, $2.1 million each.

Minister Colbeck said the investment reflects the Morrison Government’s commitment to greater respect, care and dignity for senior Australians no matter where they live.

“Investing in aged care infrastructure means we can improve the quality and safety of residential aged care from the ground up,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Safe, secure and comfortable residential care homes, designed around the needs of residents, provide the foundation for our five-pillar, five-year aged care reform plan.”

Information about the 2020 ACAR outcomes, including details of the successful providers is available here.

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

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I acknowledge our defence force personnel, past, present, and emerging, for their service to our nation, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Australia.

I also acknowledge the Australian taxpayers who, through their hard work, pay for the infrastructure, health, education, and emergency services that keep our proud nation healthy, safe, and prosperous.