SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
Minister for Youth and Sport
PHILLIP THOMPSON OAM MP
Federal Member for Herbert
Townsville Seniors to benefit from Aged Care Provider Payments
Residential aged care providers in Townsville will benefit from an additional COVID-19 specific support package under targeted measures announced by the Federal Government.
The $205 million package takes the total COVID-19 specific Federal Government funding for aged care to more than $850 million.
Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck and Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson welcomed the latest injection of funds aimed at ensuring aged care providers in the Herbert electorate can offer reinforced levels of safety and care.
“These measures are aimed at protecting the most vulnerable people in our community,” Minister Colbeck said.
“We are facing an extraordinary health challenge and we need to work together to protect the people we love most.
“This is about keeping those people in residential aged care, protected and safe.”
The announcement comes as National Cabinet assessed an aged care sector code of conduct for visitations to ensure residents can not only be kept safe but continue to receive the social and emotional support they need from their families at this time.
The payment – to all Commonwealth funded residential aged care providers – will be linked to the number of residents being cared for by each facility, and is aimed at covering the additional costs of caring for the health and wellbeing of residents during the pandemic.
The costs include additional staffing, training, supporting visitations and connections and the provision of personal protective equipment.
Facilities outside major metropolitan areas will receive a 50 per cent loading to cover the additional costs of providing care in these areas.
This means providers in Townsville will receive around $1350 per resident.
Mr Thompson said it was another measure to reinforce the sector and protect our loved ones in care across the Herbert electorate.
“This funding will go directly to helping our precious mums and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers and other relatives receive the best care possible during these tough times,” Mr Thompson said.
“We are so fortunate to have now had nearly a month without a new case of COVID-19 in Townsville, and these measures will help ensure that if the worst happens, our most vulnerable will continue to be protected.
“We must continue to do everything we can to protect the senior members of the Townsville community,” he said.
The latest round of funding follows the $235 million retention bonus paid to residential and home care workers to strengthen the workforce during the pandemic.
Additionally, funding announced in March includes $78 million for residential care to support continuity of workforce supply.
The Business Improvement Fund has also been extended for another year with $48 million in support.
ENDS