Coalition Government delivers a record $5 billion Budget boost in Aged Care Funding

May 15, 2018

16 May 2018

Coalition Government delivers a record $5 billion Budget boost in Aged Care Funding

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien has welcomed the investment in aged care that was announced in the Liberal Nationals Government’s Budget last week, which has delivered the biggest reforms for aged care in years.

Under the Coalition’s comprehensive and fully funded aged care plan, the number of high-level home care packages will rise by 86 per cent to 74,000 over the next five years, 13,500 extra residential places will be delivered, and we have the largest ever single increase in mental health funding for older Australians.

“I’m pleased to be a part of a Government that considers older Australians a top priorityand that in the 2018-19 Budget we were able to deliver for older residents in our Wide Bay community,” Mr O’Brien said

“This means additional support with more choices to stay at home longer and better access to care in regional areas.

“Better quality care will be delivered so that the dignity and independence of our older Australians is respected and healthy ageing is encouraged through investment in services to improve the physical and mental health of the aged in our community.

“We can expect that, as part of rolling out the new high level home care packages, those in the queue waiting for a level 3 or 4 home care package will receive their package much quicker which will free up packages at the lower levels.

“At the same time, funding for residential aged care places is continuing to grow, at an average of 5.3% per year,” Mr O’Brien said.

A national consultation is underway to ensure new residential aged care places are located where they are most needed. The consultation process ends on Monday, 28 May. National peak aged care organisations, Aged Care Assessment Teams, Primary Health Networks, local councils, consumer groups and aged care approved providers are among those who will be invited to take part. Organisations which are not initially invited to take part in the consultations can access the survey by contacting the Department of Health at [email protected]
ENDS

 

 

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