PDF printable version of More transition care after hospital for older people in South Australia (PDF 100 KB)
Joint Release
Senator the Hon Santo Santoro
Australian Government
Minister for Ageing
The Hon John Hill MHA
South Australia
Minister for Health
1 December 2006
SS105/06
Better services for older South Australians who have recently been discharged from hospital will be available following the allocation of 55 new places under the Transition Care Program, which was jointly announced today by the Australian Government Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, and the South Australian State Minister for Health, John Hill.
Transition care is a new model of care for older people after a hospital stay. It is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the state and territory governments.
Senator Santoro said the new places would become operational as local services were developed. The additional places will increase those available for the Transition Care Program in South Australia to 176.
“Transition care provides support and therapies to help older Australians to become confident enough to return home, with the support of in-home care. It also gives older people and their families time to make long-term care arrangements,” Senator Santoro said.
“The Australian Government announced its intention to establish 2,000 new transition care places nationally over three years after pilot programs showed that such care can improve the quality of life and independence of many older people who have been hospitalised.
“I am very pleased with the collaborative work carried out by the Australian Government and the South Australian Government on the Transition Care Program, which will be of significant benefit to many older people.”
Mr Hill said the program would give older people in South Australia an opportunity to improve, recover or regain their functional capacity after an illness, injury or operation, and help avoid premature admission to residential aged care.
“This innovation will broaden the choices available to older people in South Australia. The therapeutic care offered as one of its multiple services will help older people return home in better health and with greater independence,” he said.
More information about the Transition Care Program is available from the South Australian office of the Department of Health and Ageing on (08) 8237 8052 or the South Australian Department of Health on (08) 8226 6285.
Media contacts: Malcolm Cole (Senator Santoro’s Office) 0408 612 603
Catherine Hockley (Mr Hill’s Office) 0422 004 434
