Changes in care levels for a portion of aged care places in Boggabri, Brewarrina, Dunedoo, Nyngan and Warren will allow additional older residents, with increasing care needs, to stay connected with their communities.
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, MP, that changes will be made to care levels for some aged care places through the Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Program for rural, regional and remote communities.
“It’s important that older people with increasing or complex care needs are able to stay close to loved ones and where they have established community ties,” Minister Wyatt said.
The MPS Program is a jointly funded Australian and state and territory government initiative providing integrated health and aged care services to small rural, regional and remote communities.
Changes in existing levels will see the following increases in high care places as follows:
• Boggabri will increase its high care allocation by 5 beds;
• Brewarrina will increase its high care allocation by 3 beds;
• Dunedoo will increase its high care allocation by 6 beds;
• Nyngan will increase its high care allocation by 8 beds; and
• Warren will increase its high care allocation by 10 beds.
Mr Coulton said the additional funding will help support older local residents by providing a higher level of care which is greatly needed in all of these rural communities.
“These changes in levels of existing places from low to high care are great news for all of these communities in the electorate of Parkes,” he said.
“It’s important that the aged care needs of older Australians are met – irrespective of where they live – and the additional high care allocations mean we can better care for our older community members in familiar surroundings.
“This announcement will make a real and positive difference to the lives of our senior residents and their families.”