Helping older West Australians home from hospital
Older West Australian residents will have greater support to return home after a hospital stay through a new service, jointly funded by the Australian and WA Governments.
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Joint Release
The Hon Julie Bishio MP
Australian Government
Minister for Ageing
The Hon Jim McGinty MLA
West Australian
Minister for Health
7 November 2005JB167/05
Older West Australian residents will have greater support to return home after a hospital stay through a new service, jointly funded by the Australian and WA Governments.
The Federal Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, and the WA Minister for Health, Jim McGinty, today announced the first allocation of places under the Transition Care Program. This program provides a new model of temporary and targeted therapeutic care to assist older Australians leaving hospital.
Ms Bishop said the West had been allocated 50 new transition care places for 2005, which would become operational as local services became ready.
"Transition care will help more older West Australians return to their homes after a hospital stay, rather than prematurely entering residential aged care," Ms Bishop said.
"It will provide support and restorative therapies to help older Australians to become physically and mentally strong enough to return home where possible, with the support of in-home care if necessary.
"The Australian Government announced the establishment of 2,000 new Transition Care places over three years, following evaluations of pilot programs which have shown that these places can make a significant difference to the quality of life and independence of older people.
"I am delighted that the WA Government has worked with the Australian Government to produce what will be a major innovation to benefit older West Australians."
Mr McGinty said the program would give local residents an opportunity to improve, recover or regain their functional abilities after an illness or operation.
"This innovation will broaden the choices available to older people of Western Australia. The program will offer therapeutic care as one of its multiple services so older people can return home in better health and with greater independence," he said.
More information about the Transition Care Program is available by contacting the West Australian office of the Department of Health and Ageing on (08) 9346 5227.
Media contacts: Murray Hansen (Ms Bishop) 0417 886 155
Simon Dowding (Mr McGinty) 08 9220 5000
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