The Coalition Government is providing an additional $649 million per year to create 9,911 new residential aged care places with residents in Barker set to benefit.
“I welcome the news of the funding through the 2016-17 Aged Care Approvals Round and that the Keith community will be a big winner with Federal Government funding to provide more beds and capital funding to expand and upgrade facilities at the Keith and District Hospital,” Mr Pasin said.
The Keith and District Hospital will receive a capital grant for $2,660,000 as well as an additional 10 residential care places under the 2016/17 Aged Care Approvals Round announced last week.
“With our rapidly ageing population, the Australian Government is committed to providing a sustainable aged care system that meets the needs of our older Australians,” Mr Pasin said.
“Barker is one of many rural and remote regions across Australia that will benefit. 27 per cent of all residential places are being allocated to non-metropolitan areas” Mr Pasin said
“Australians want greater choice and control over the care they receive and these changes do exactly that,” Mr Pasin said.
“After so much uncertainty about the Keith and District Hospital remaining open when the State Government wanted it closed, it is fantastic that the Federal Government can commit this funding for Aged Care.”
Chair of Keith and District Hospital Board of Directors, Janet Allen has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to funding.
“The expansion of the aged care service will keep Keith and District Hospital a relevant service and will meet the current and future needs of the community. The expansion will enable us to be more sustainable so that we can continue to provide essential health services in our community,” Mrs Allen said.
“This is a wonderful outcome for Keith and surrounding districts. Stirling Lodge will be able to offer mostly single rooms, all with ensuites for our residents. We will be turning a good facility into fabulous facility. This will in time contribute significantly to the sustainability of the health services based at the community owned Keith and District Hospital. This is a truly valuable investment in rural South Australia.”
Information about the 2016−17 Aged Care Approvals Round outcomes, including details of the successful approved providers, is available on the https://agedcare.health.gov.au/2016-17acar/results.
Contact: Charlotte Edmunds – 8531 2466
