Page 834 - Week 03 - Thursday, 14 April 1994
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The Government has also been addressing the problems related to the funding of dementia places in hostels. Again, it must be noted that the funding of dementia places is a Commonwealth responsibility, and the Government's role is that of provider within a nursing home context and advocate for better funding levels for dementia care within the hostel sector. The ACT Government-operated nursing home, Jindalee, has a secure dementia unit. The issue that relates to dementia places in hostels is that, while dementia sufferers may be mobile and may be assessed at the lowest level of dependency, they may actually require greater care and supervision than their dependency level suggests. The Commonwealth, however, provides funding on the basis of level of dependency, not level of care. As a result, hostels are required to bear the additional costs of care.
The Government has again raised this matter in discussions with the Commonwealth and will continue to do so. In fact, I understand that the Commonwealth, because of the representations it has received about this matter, is under pressure to consider strategies for improving the situation. In dealing with the Commonwealth on this issue, the ACT Government will continue to act as an advocate for non-government providers of dementia care in hostels.
The Government is also aware of the need to provide crisis care for aged people in the ACT. In light of the shortage of sites in inner Canberra, consideration is being given to the City Parks depot adjacent to Burrangiri to enable an expansion of that facility in future years. The Government has concluded that it would not be cost-effective to build another centre of the same size as Burrangiri on another site, as infrastructure costs would be prohibitive.
The issue of convalescent beds for the elderly is also under active consideration. The Government is continuing to examine the options for the provision of a convalescent facility, including the use of the Acton site. The second stage of the Acton health facilities study is now nearing completion. It is examining options for convalescent aged care and rehabilitation services on the Acton site. Changes such as increased day surgery procedures and the early discharge policy of the hospitals, coupled with discharge planning practices and increased community care services, mean that few hospital beds are now needed for convalescing patients. Nevertheless, the Government recognises that there are a number of post-operative patients and acute patients, particularly elderly people, who are being discharged home and who require convalescent care and/or rehabilitation. It is in this context that the Government continues to explore options for appropriate accommodation.
I would now like to address the issue of a purpose built facility to cater for younger people with disabilities. Whilst a 40-bed facility may seem an obvious solution to what we all recognise as an unsatisfactory situation, this is not a simple issue. The fact is that the ages of younger people with disabilities who are currently living in nursing homes can range from 20 to 65 years. This group of citizens have needs which are quite diverse. In seeking a solution, the Government is concerned that the individual situation of each person is carefully considered and that differences in their needs for care and support services and differences in their ability to be integrated into the community are all taken
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