Media Hub

July 2008

31 July 2008

Minister Launches New 'Carebus' Service - Getting Information into the Community

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today officially launched a new Carebus service in Brisbane.

30 July 2008

Aged Care Staff and Staffing Levels

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that older Australians receive quality care and an appropriately skilled workforce is a key part of this. Aged care providers must have in place arrangements for the ongoing development of staff skills to ensure quality of care continues to be delivered.

29 July 2008

Update Kirralee Aged Care

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today provided an update on the Kirralee Aged Care facility in East Ballarat.

28 July 2008

Tough Measures on Kirralee Aged Care in East Ballarat

The Department of Health and Ageing has imposed tough sanctions on Kirralee Residential Aged Care Facility in East Ballarat – following the identification of serious risk to residents.

24 July 2008

Study Reveals Benefit of Community Care Programs

A new independent study has found that home-based community care packages for older Australians improved their quality of life, kept them healthier and reduced the need to go into a nursing home.

24 July 2008

Improving Aged and Community Care for Indigenous Australians

The Federal Government is calling for tenders to develop new workforce training resources to help improve home and community care for frail and older indigenous Australians.

24 July 2008

New Research: By 2060 – Average Aussie Woman Will Reach 90 Years

New research shows that by 2060, Australian women could expect to reach 90 and by mid-century most Australians can expect –on average – to live to their mid-to-late-80s.

24 July 2008

First 35 Places Operational Under $293.2 Million Transition Care Plan – Helping Older Australians Regain Their Independence

The Australian Government announced the first 35 operational places out of its 228 fully funded places under its $293.2 million transition care plan

19 July 2008

Older Australians urged to take up Free Flu Vaccinations

Presentations of influenza-like illnesses to GPs rose in May and June indicating that winter-related bacterial and viral infections have commenced in Australia.

18 July 2008

Company owned by Adelaide husband and wife doctor team prevented from operating Commonwealth nursing homes

The Australian Government has taken action to prevent an Adelaide company from operating aged care homes.

17 July 2008

$19 Million in Extra Funding for Queensland Community Care

The Australian Government Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and the Queensland Minister for Disability Services, Lindy Nelson-Carr today announced a $19 million boost for older people and people with a disability.

17 July 2008

$1.65 Million for New Specialist Dementia Centre for 90 Wollongong People

The Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, with the Member for Cunningham, Sharon Bird, today visited the site where a new $1.65 Million dementia day-care centre will be constructed for the people of Wollongong.

16 July 2008

$1.03 Million for New Community Care Entry-Point Creates Jobs in Parramatta

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot today officially launched the Community Care Access Point in Parramatta, which has created eight new jobs in the area.

15 July 2008

$11 million investment to eliminate disability equipment waiting list

Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot and NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today announced a one-off $11 million funding package to support people across NSW living with long-term disabilities.

15 July 2008

National guidelines for nursing homes

In response to recent gastro-outbreaks in nursing homes, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today announced a response plan.

11 July 2008

Statement on Endeavour Aged Care facility (NSW - Blue Mountains)

The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing is working closely with the NSW Public Health Unit and the NSW Food Authority on the recent gastroenteritis outbreak at the Endeavour Aged Care Facility in the Blue Mountains.

10 July 2008

Maintaining Quality of Care for Bridgewater Residents

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has announced that Uniting Aged Care will temporarily take over the management of the Bridewater Aged Care facility in Melbourne, allowing the Administrators to focus on investigating the financial affairs of the former approved provider of the home and to continue to seek a sale of the facility.

09 July 2008

Supporting Older Australians In The Workplace

08 July 2008

Responsible Economic Management Residential aged care funding claims – audits

Aged care providers in Australia are receiving record funding to support the vital role their staff play in caring for the nation’s elderly.

05 July 2008

Statement on South Australian Aged Care facilities – comment to Sunday Mail

04 July 2008

AN EXTRA $5.1 Million for Home and Community Care Services in NSW

An extra $5.1 million in funding has been announced for Home and Community Care (HACC) services in NSW.

03 July 2008

Transcript with the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot - Life Expectancy

Interview, Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot on Australia’s second longest life expectancy

03 July 2008

Sunshine Coast and WA Country and Perth Women among Longest Life Expectancy in the World

03 July 2008

Australian Government to Increase Scrutiny of Aged Care Funding Claims

Commonwealth staff have begun a wide-ranging review of funding claims to ensure that Australian Government payments match the levels of care provided in nursing homes.

01 July 2008

Comment On Petrol Prices and Home and Community Care Services

The Australian Government has a range of measures relating to petrol and community care, the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot said today.

01 July 2008

Reply to Letter from the Queensland Aged Care Alliance from the Minister for Ageing - July 1

Open letter in response to the Queensland Aged Care Alliance.