Media Release: BIGGEST BOOST YET FOR CAULFIELD AGED CARE

FROM THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

DATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2007

BIGGEST BOOST YET FOR CAULFIELD AGED CARE

Community Services Minister Gavin Jennings made a $28 million house call today, visiting the Caulfield General Medical Centre to deliver funding for the Centre’s redevelopment.

Mr Jennings said the funding announced in the 2007-08 State Budget took the Bracks Government’s total investment in Caulfield General Medical Centre to $62 million.

“Caulfield has a statewide role in providing specialist rehabilitation services, especially for spinal and amputee patients,” Mr Jennings said.

“The $28 million Budget boost will help Caulfield General Medical Centre redevelop their allied health facilities and infrastructure in the Old Ward building’s ground floor.

“The project will also refurbish the first floor of the Old Ward building to provide increased and improved clinical consulting room accommodation.

“This redevelopment will help the centre meet the current and future health care needs of older local residents.”

Mr Jennings said the latest funding for Caulfield General Medical Centre was in addition to $23.5 million provided in 06-07 for Stage 1 of the centre’s redevelopment and $10.5 million invested in the nursing home in June 2003 in Caulfield.

“The Bracks Government had invested $396 million since 1999 to redevelop 43 public sector residential aged care facilities – nearly a quarter of all facilities in Victoria,” Mr Jennings said.

“The 2007-08 State Budget delivered an extra $62 million in capital funding works for aged care facilities as part of a $166 million package to assist older Victorians.”

At Caulfield General Medical Centre, Mr Jennings also announced the Bracks Government will provide $630,000 in 2006-07 for 180 new state-of-the-art wheelchairs to be used in public sector nursing homes.

“These reclining tilt-chairs are flexible, robust and built for comfort. They have a padded seat and support for the back, arms and head for extra comfort and safety,” Mr Jennings said.

“They will help older residents who can’t join in at the moment participate in activities such as gardening, outdoor exercise, wheelchair walks and bus trips.”

Caulfield General Medical Centre will receive four wheelchairs with the remainder to be provided to more than 130 facilities in Victoria.