Published Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
$19 MILLION IN EXTRA FUNDING FOR QUEENSLAND COMMUNITY CARE
The Australian Government Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and the Queensland Minister for Disability Services, Lindy Nelson-Carr today announced a $19 million boost for older people and people with a disability.
The Australian Government has contributed almost $12.3 million and the Queensland Government $6.7 million in 2007/08.
The extra funds in this second round will deliver additional help at home, day care, social support and respite care services – through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program in Queensland.
Today’s announcement brings total funding for the HACC program to more than $345 million in Queensland in just over 12 months.
The HACC Program has helped more than 159,000 people in Queensland in previous years – just over 5 per cent of the state’s population.
“The increase in funding will help more people maintain their independence by continuing to live within their community and their own homes, as most people tell us they wish to do,” Mrs Elliot said.
“Without Home and Community Care services for frail and older people, many people would have to move prematurely into residential care.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said this funding allocation would support capital works for service providers including:
• funding to acquire, build or fit out day care centres in the Darling Downs, Brisbane South, Murgon, North Burnett and Townsville areas;
• funding for Meals and Wheels to build a new kitchen in Innisfail; and
• funding to purchase and replace vehicles to assist the frail and younger people with a disability access services in their local communities.
Ms Nelson-Carr said more than 755 service providers across Queensland give community care assistance through the HACC program each year.
“Community care can range from centre-based day-care and respite care services to home modifications and help with transport,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This additional funding means more people will now have access to these sorts of services,,” she said.
“The Home and Community Care program provides services crucial to the independence of Queenslanders. The increased funding will help service providers maintain their standard of service delivery and expand their programs to reach a greater number of people in their own homes.”
The HACC program is a jointly-funded Australian Government and state and territory government initiative and a key element in the Australian Government’s aged care policy.
Home and Community Care facts:
In 2007-08 the Home and Community Care program received $1.65 billion nationally, with $1.006 billion of the total contributed by the Australian Government.
Queensland received joint funding of $345.11 million, of which the Australian Government contributed around $223.08 million and the Queensland Government $122.03 million.
In 2006-2007, around 801,000 people across Australia received Home and Community Care services.
Media contact: Minister Elliot’s office (02) 6277 7280
Minister Nelson-Carr’s office (07) 3235 4280
The Australian Government has contributed almost $12.3 million and the Queensland Government $6.7 million in 2007/08.
The extra funds in this second round will deliver additional help at home, day care, social support and respite care services – through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program in Queensland.
Today’s announcement brings total funding for the HACC program to more than $345 million in Queensland in just over 12 months.
The HACC Program has helped more than 159,000 people in Queensland in previous years – just over 5 per cent of the state’s population.
“The increase in funding will help more people maintain their independence by continuing to live within their community and their own homes, as most people tell us they wish to do,” Mrs Elliot said.
“Without Home and Community Care services for frail and older people, many people would have to move prematurely into residential care.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said this funding allocation would support capital works for service providers including:
• funding to acquire, build or fit out day care centres in the Darling Downs, Brisbane South, Murgon, North Burnett and Townsville areas;
• funding for Meals and Wheels to build a new kitchen in Innisfail; and
• funding to purchase and replace vehicles to assist the frail and younger people with a disability access services in their local communities.
Ms Nelson-Carr said more than 755 service providers across Queensland give community care assistance through the HACC program each year.
“Community care can range from centre-based day-care and respite care services to home modifications and help with transport,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This additional funding means more people will now have access to these sorts of services,,” she said.
“The Home and Community Care program provides services crucial to the independence of Queenslanders. The increased funding will help service providers maintain their standard of service delivery and expand their programs to reach a greater number of people in their own homes.”
The HACC program is a jointly-funded Australian Government and state and territory government initiative and a key element in the Australian Government’s aged care policy.
Home and Community Care facts:
In 2007-08 the Home and Community Care program received $1.65 billion nationally, with $1.006 billion of the total contributed by the Australian Government.
Queensland received joint funding of $345.11 million, of which the Australian Government contributed around $223.08 million and the Queensland Government $122.03 million.
In 2006-2007, around 801,000 people across Australia received Home and Community Care services.
Media contact: Minister Elliot’s office (02) 6277 7280
Minister Nelson-Carr’s office (07) 3235 4280