PDF printable version of $1.8 million funding boost for home and community care in the ACT (PDF 108 KB)
Joint Release
Senator the Hon Santo Santoro
Australian Government
Minister for Ageing
Ms Katy Gallagher MLA
Australian Capital Territory
Minister for Health
27 October 2006
SS94/06
Older people, people with a disability and their carers living in the ACT will benefit from the $1.8 million funding boost for Home and Community Care (HACC) services announced today by the Australian Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, and the ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher.
Total HACC funding available in the ACT for 2006-07 will be $22.5 million, an increase of almost 8.5 per cent over funding in 2005-06.
The HACC program, a joint Australian Government and state and territory government initiative, provides a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of basic maintenance and support services to help frail aged people, people with a disability and their carers to live more independently in the community.
"Of the total $22.5 million funding for HACC services in the ACT this financial year, the Australian Government will provide nearly $11 million," Senator Santoro said.
"The HACC program is an excellent example of the Australian Government working cooperatively with the states and territories to deliver services for those in need."
Ms Gallagher said the ACT contribution of $11.5million included an additional $898,000 to the HACC program in 2006-07.
She said the focus of additional HACC funding this year would be to provide additional short-term, post-hospitalisation services for domestic assistance, personal care and minor home modifications, plus additional basic HACC services to assist people to remain in the community.
"Improving the delivery of HACC services in the ACT provides more options for Canberra’s older people, those with disability and their carers, and helps prevent their premature entry into residential aged care," Ms Gallagher said.
Media Contacts:
Malcolm Cole (Senator Santoro’s office) 0408612603
Angie Drake (Ms Gallagher’s office) 0408 092 016
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