PDF printable version of More transition care after hospital for older Tasmanians (PDF 143 KB)
Joint Release
Senator the Hon Santo Santoro
Australian Government
Minister for Ageing
The Hon Lara Giddings MHA
Tasmanian Government
Minister for Health and Human Services
30 January 2007
SS07/07
Older people in Tasmania will have access to additional support services, following the announcement of 37 new places for the Transition Care Program.
The new places were announced by the Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, and the Tasmanian Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings.
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 32 places covering Southern Tasmania had been allocated and operational from July 1, and an additional five places would become operational as local services were developed.
“The additional places bring the total numbers of transition care places now funded in Tasmania to 57,” Senator Santoro said.
“Transition care provides support and therapies to help older Australians to become confident enough to return home where possible, with the support of in-home care if necessary.
“This new allocation of transition care places will help an even greater number of older people in Tasmania to return home after a hospital stay and avoid premature admission to residential aged care.”
Ms Giddings said the additional places provided a tangible demonstration of the direct patient care benefits of collaboration between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments on the Transition Care Program.
“This program will make a big difference to many older Tasmanians,” Ms Giddings said.
“It will continue to give local residents an opportunity to improve, recover or regain their functional capacity after an illness or operation.
“It broadens the choices available to older people in Tasmania after a stay in hospital and will help older people return home in better health and with more independence,” she said.
The Australian Government announced its intention to establish jointly with state and territory governments 2,000 new transition care places nationally over three years, after pilot programs showed that such care could improve the quality of life and independence of many older people who had been hospitalised.
More information about the Transition Care Program is available from the Tasmanian office of the Department of Health and Ageing on (03) 6221 1474 or the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services on (03) 62334780.
Media contacts: For more information call Senator Santoro's office on ph 02 6277 7280.
Andrew Rhodes (Ms Giddings Office) - 0412 821 274
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