Plan to improve access to residential care in country areas

14/3/98

Aged persons in the Vasse-Leeuwin region of Western Australia are the latest beneficiaries of State Government plans to improve access to residential care in country areas, Health Minister Kevin Prince said today.

The Minister today officially opened the $3 million 40-bed William Carey Court nursing home in Busselton, which was built by aged care provider Baptist Care.

"This development is an excellent example of how the community, public and private sectors can all work together to provide high quality facilities and services for aged persons in our community," Mr Prince said.

"I would like to congratulate Baptist Care, which has been involved in the provision of aged care accommodation since 1972, for developing a first-class facility for people in the region.

"As a result of the State Government's nursing home restructure project, an additional 10 beds were provided at the facility, which means that 10 extra local residents can now also be accommodated in close proximity to their families.

"Keeping older people in safe and comfortable care as close to their families as possible is a key priority of this Government."

Mr Prince said as a result of the closure of the Mt Henry Nursing Home in Perth, more nursing home bed approvals were being transferred to under-bedded locations throughout Western Australia, in particular regional areas.

"This has meant greater access to residential aged care in rural and remote communities rather than using acute hospital beds or relocating the elderly to regional centres or to Perth," he said.

"To date, the State has allocated an additional 41-beds to country areas including the Eastern Wheatbelt and Central Great Southern Multi-Purpose Service sites since 1997.

"It is expected a further 30 beds will be approved for transfer to country areas this year alone."

Mr Prince said a strong community spirit, with funding support from the Lotteries Commission of WA and the Augusta/Margaret River and Busselton shires, had resulted in an invaluable community asset at the nursing home.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9221 1377