More aged care places for Queensland communities
Older Australians in communities across Queensland will benefit from the allocation of 2,165 new aged care places this year.
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23 July 2004 | JB134/04 |
More aged care places for Queensland communities
Older Australians in communities across Queensland will benefit from the allocation of 2,165 new aged care places this year, following the release of the regional distribution of the places today by the Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop.
The new places are part of the 27,900 new aged care places to be allocated Australia-wide over the next three years, and were announced as part of the Australian Government's $2.2 billion record funding package, Investing in Australia's Aged Care: More Places, Better Care. Over the next three years the Australian Government will allocate 4,350 places to Queensland.
Ms Bishop said the release of the regional distribution of new residential and community places allowed local communities and aged care providers time to prepare applications, which will be called later next month.
"The Australian Government recognises that older people want to remain in their communities, near their family and friends, as they age," Ms Bishop said.
"By allocating significant numbers of residential and community care places, the Australian Government is providing more older Australians with access to the care that meets their individual need, in their own local communities.
"This year in Queensland we will be focusing on care for older people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, and people living in rural and remote areas.
"The Australian Government is committed to working in partnership with aged care recipients, their families, carers, staff and aged care providers in order to deliver on our vision for a world class system that delivers high quality, affordable and accessible services to meet the needs of older Australians from a diverse range of cultural, linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds.
"In contrast, the Auditor General found the former Labor Government left a 10,000 aged care place shortage across the nation."
The Department of Health and Ageing independently determines the regional distributions following a comprehensive consultative planning process. This annual process includes the consideration of advice from the Aged Care Planning Advisory Committee in each state and territory. The committees include people with relevant expertise from local communities and local and state government.
The 2004 Regional Distribution of Aged Care Places booklet is available by phoning
1800 500 853 and on-line at www.ageing.health.gov.au/acar2004.
Media contact: Rachael Thompson 02 6277 7280 or 0417 265 289