Opening of Ellison House centre for people with Huntingdon's Disease

22/7/98

Twelve people with Huntington's Disease were formally launched on a new lifestyle today when Disability Services Minister Paul Omodei, together with Health Minister Kevin Prince, opened Ellison House in Carlisle.

Mr Omodei said that Ellison House was a joint venture between the Disability Services Commission, the Health Department of Western Australia, Brightwater and the Huntington's Disease Association.

The Health Department had provided the $2.6 million capital cost, DSC would provide $900,000 recurrent funding to support the residents and Brightwater would manage the project.

It was part of a larger project to move 71 young people with disabilities from Brightwater nursing homes into more appropriate community accommodation, and this in turn was part of a total project to move 95 young people at a total cost of about $7.2 million, including $1.3 million of Commonwealth funding.

Ellison House is the second accommodation centre designed and built for a specific diagnostic group.

The first was the Fern River complex in Wilson, a group of units custom-built for young people with Multiple Sclerosis, which was provided by DSC, HDWA, Homeswest, the Lotteries Commission and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

It is hoped that the total project will be completed by the end of 1999.

There are about 100 people in WA with Huntington's Disease, a genetically transmitted degenerative disorder of the central nervous system which usually develops between the ages of 20 and 40. Until now, nursing homes have been the only accommodation available when the condition reached the point of requiring continuous care.

Mr Omodei said Ellison House, with its clubhouse, landscaped garden with raised garden beds and meandering pathways, would provide opportunities for individual activities as well as continuing friendships.

Health Minister Kevin Prince said Ellison House provided a national benchmark as the most up-to-date specialist Huntington's unit in Australia.

"Ellison House is a splendid example of what can be achieved between Government, service providers and consumers and will undoubtedly provide a vital service to those who use it," the Minister said.

Mr Prince also congratulated Brightwater Care Group's executive director, Dr Penny Flett, for her leadership and achievements in the growing industry of care for the aged and people with disabilities, for which she was recently named WA Telstra Businesswoman of the Year.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9366 0200