11 January 2008
JE08/02
Senior Territorians will receive a greater level and choice of quality care and support with the development of a new federally-funded 65-single room with ensuites residential aged care home in Darwin. The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, today visited Darwin – for the first time since her appointment – to discuss the Southern Cross Care project with the Territory Government and the Federal MP for Solomon, Mr Damian Hale. Mrs Elliot said one of her first tasks as a minister had been to approve national funding for the Aged Care Approvals Round, with the Territory receiving $6.33 million for the provision of additional aged care places. The announcement also included Capital Grants comprising:
A $6 million commitment to Southern Cross Care will help to build a new 65-bed residential aged care facility in Darwin; and
A $334,000 commitment to The Juninga Centre in Nightcliff to upgrade its fire system.
“Having the new Southern Cross Care service will significantly improve access to residential aged care in Darwin, and increase the choice available to future residents and their families,” Mrs Elliot said. Federal MP for Solomon Mr Damian Hale said, “Southern Cross’s investment in this Darwin Aged Care facility will be a welcomed addition to critical infrastructure for Solomon Seniors. I appreciate the minister’s availability and support for this announcement today.”
Southern Cross Care is a national not-for-profit organisation that operates 14 residential aged care facilities as well as providing a number of community care, hospice and rehabilitation services.The minister said the Australian Government shared Southern Cross Care’s key commitment to an ageing-in-place philosophy that eliminated the need for older Australians to move onto an alternative facility, as their care needs increased. CEO of Southern Cross Care Mr Michael Bendyk welcomed the opportunity provided by the federal funding, saying, “we are enthusiastic at the prospect of expanding the services we provide”. “It would be a privilege for Southern Cross Care to provide Territorians with an opportunity to plan their future in the Territory by making high quality accommodation and services readily available,” Mr Bendyk said.While the site for the new home has yet to be finalised, the new development will have a distinct NT theme and feel, featuring single ensuite rooms, outdoor shaded areas and tropical landscaping.
The Southern Cross Care application said it would have 33 high care places and 32 low care places upon completion in 2009. “The Government is acutely aware of its responsibility to provide the best possible care for older Australians – particularly, Territorians,” Mrs Elliot said.“It is a very high priority for us,” she said.
The Northern Territory has always had a very different population profile compared with other parts of Australia. The over 65s comprise one in 20 in the Northern Territory population, whereas the Australian average is about one in eight. While it has an overall younger population than any other state or territory, it has a significant gender imbalance in middle age and older years where men outnumber women by 122 to 100 – elsewhere in Australia, women outnumber men. (Source: Building the Territory for all Generations – A framework for Active Ageing in the Northern Territory. November 2007)
The new places at Southern Cross Care and The Juninga Centre fire system improvements are part of the 2007 Aged Care Approvals Round – an annual competitive assessment process that allocates new aged care places to providers who best demonstrate they can meet the needs of the ageing population within a specified region. This process was begun under the former Howard Government. Decisions on aged care places are made independently by the Department of Health and Ageing.
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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