$638,565 MORE FOR MORELAND HOME & COMMUNITY CARE
Older Moreland residents and people with disabilities will get access to many more hours of services and support through a further $638,565 for local Home and Community Care.
State Member for Pascoe Vale Christine Campbell said today this local increase is part of a $16.0 million boost state-wide to help some 250,000 vulnerable Victorians.
“Carers will be among those to benefit from an extra 6,000 hours’ help in Moreland,” Ms Campbell said.
“The new HACC program funding package will provide an extra 317,000 hours aid state-wide.”
“This means more services such as physiotherapy, delivered meals, respite, community nursing, bathing and dressing support and home help like cleaning, shopping and cooking.”
Moreland City Council received a boost of $93,959, which will contribute to HACC Assessment and Moreland Community Health Service received an additional 1,217 hours and $98,236 towards HACC Allied Health. The Royal District Nursing Service received 1,973 extra hours and $139,491 to fund HACC nursing, whilst Baptist Community Care received 511 additional hours and $41,248 for HACC Allied Health and 2,066 extra hours and $64,934 to fund HACC personal care.
The Victorian Minister for Senior Victorians, Lisa Neville, with federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, jointly announced a total of $16.0 million more in matched Commonwealth-State HACC funding in December.
The Home and Community Care program provides services such as domestic help, nursing, allied health such as physiotherapy and podiatry, delivered meals, social support and personal care.
HACC program funding in Victoria totals $500 million in 2008-09 to deliver home and community care services around the state through some 480 local councils, health services and non-government agencies.
Ms Campbell said Victoria’s Brumby Government contributes $236 million of this $500 million, which is some $60 million more than required under the HACC agreement.
“The extra HACC funding in Victoria will provide 55,000 more hours of allied health services, an extra 52,000 hours’ social support, 46,000 more hours of personal care and an additional 40,000 hours’ domestic assistance.”
It also includes funding for the Australian Red Cross Patient Transport Service that assists older, isolated Victorians in particular, to travel to essential medical appointments
“As well, the HACC funding boost will provide 30,000 more nursing hours and 20,000 more respite hours,” she said.
HACC growth funding details will be available on Victoria’s Department of Human Services website at: www.health.vic.gov.au/hacc