Funding boost for Home and Community Care

Older people and those with a disability in Western Australia will benefit from a $19.

  • $19.3million boost for Home and Community Care (HACC) services

  • 7.8 per cent increase in State Government contribution

Older people and those with a disability in Western Australia will benefit from a $19.3million increase in funding, including $9.4million for new or expanded Home and Community Care (HACC) services in the State.

Announcing the extra funding for 2013-14 today, Health Minister Kim Hames said community-based support services were a key component in supporting people across the continuum of care, providing choice and care closer to home.

"Western Australia's total HACC program funding for 2013-14 will rise by 7.8 per cent to $266.4million - $104.7million of which is provided by the State Government," Dr Hames said.

"Without HACC services such as nursing, social support, respite care, domestic assistance, and transport services, many people would not be able to continue living independently in the community."

The Minister said the additional funds would support more people to maintain their independence and connection with their community.

 

"In Western Australia we are targeting funding to expand existing services and establish new services in identified priority areas of need," he said.

"The non-government sector plays a pivotal role in developing and providing quality services to meet the needs of older people and people with disabilities, plus services for Aboriginal people, people with dementia and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds."

The additional funding will be used to target priority areas of need including:

  • $455,000 to Uniting Care West to expand social support services in the east metropolitan region

  • $330,000 to Ngaanyatjarra Health Service to expand domestic assistance, personal care and social support services in the Goldfields region

  • $27,000 to Alzheimer's Australia for a new vehicle to support existing services in the Great Southern region

  • $62,000 to Kimberley Remote Aged Care Services for capital purchases to support the delivery of existing services in the Kimberley region

  • $175,000 to Midwest and Gascoyne Health Region for capital purchases to support the delivery of existing services in the Mid-West region

  • $155,000 to Volunteer Task Force to expand home maintenance services in the north metropolitan region

  • $74,000 to Yaandina Family Centre for a replacement bus and other minor equipment to support existing services in the Pilbara region

  • $286,000 to Southern Districts Support Association to expand domestic assistance, personal care and social support services in the south-east metropolitan region

  • $141,000 to Community Home Care Bunbury to expand home maintenance, personal care and social support services and $23,000 to purchase a new vehicle to support services in the South-West region

  • $300,000 to Perth Home Care Services to expand domestic assistance services in the south-west metropolitan region

  • $30,000 to Shire of Northam to investigate the feasibility of upgrading and refurbishing a day centre in the Wheatbelt region.

         Fact File

  • The Home and Community Care (HACC) program is jointly funded by the Federal and State governments

  • HACC provides basic support services to some older people, people with a disability and their carers to assist them to continue living independently at home.

  • For further information visit: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/hacc/home/whatis.cfm  

Minister's office - 6552 5300