$5.79 million to support aged care in rural and remote communities

The Commonwealth today announced funding of $5.79 million to increase aged care places in rural and remote communities across Australia, as part of an integrated health and ageing initiative. Minister for Aged Care, Sussan Ley, said this investment in our smaller rural and remote communities makes it easier for older Australians to stay connected in their communities and close to loved ones.

“Additional funding has been made available for residential care services for people with more complex and increasing aged care needs in rural and remote communities with places allocated across 17 Multi-Purpose Services in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria”, Ms Ley said. “A part of this package includes three new Multi-Purpose Services in New South Wales offering 52 residential places, with 38 of these taking effect immediately.”

The Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Programme is a jointly funded Australian and State and Territory Government initiative providing integrated health and aged care services to small rural and remote communities. MPS’s have a good track record in meeting the health and aged care needs of older people living in rural and remote regions.

Assistant Minister for Health, Ken Wyatt said “this is wonderful news for older Australians living in rural and remote communities.” “The great benefit of the MPS Programme is that it brings together the best possible service provision to great effect in our small rural and remote communities.

“It is important to support the needs of all older Australians irrespective of where they live and the MPS Programme is doing just that – by collaborating and using a flexible approach to how smaller communities can deliver care to our ageing population,” Minister Wyatt said.

For Minister Wyatt: Chloe Lawler 0447 680 444
For Minister Ley: Steve Block 0428 213 264