THE state government has pledged as much as $70 million to redevelop the 30-bed JHF McDonald Wing aged care facility, which is integrated within the Maffra District Hospital.
The Premier, Daniel Andrews, made the announcement on Wednesday September 28 more than 200 kilometres away from Maffra, while officially opening a public aged care home at Wantirna in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Mr Andrews also announced funding for aged care facilities in Cohuna ($45 million) and Numurkah ($55 million) – a total of $170 million for the three regional facilities.
The government says the upgrades will deliver more modern facilities that are dementia-friendly and can aid residents with complex care needs. This will support independence and residents’ privacy while helping to keep older Victorians connected to their own communities.
The redevelopment works will also support local jobs, with 400 positions to be created in the construction phase, the government says. Works are expected to begin by 2025, with the first residents likely to move into the new accommodation by late 2027.
Mr Andrews said the Government wanted to ensure that parents and grandparents received the care and dignity they deserve in their later years, near family and friends.
The Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Colin Brooks, accused Matthew Guy’s Liberals of shutting and privatising nursing homes last time they were in government, and cutting millions from the aged care budget. “Labor undid the Liberals’ damage by introducing nurse-to-resident ratios and investing more than $600 million in new and improved aged care facilities,” he said.
The Shadow Minister for Government Scrutiny, Louise Staley criticised the Premier for announcing the aged care regional package from Melbourne.
“The fact the Premier announces a regional health policy via a press conference in Melbourne’s east proves he doesn’t care about regional Victorians,” Ms Staley said.
“We will govern for all Victorians and all of Victoria. Daniel Andrews has no plan to fix regional healthcare, his only plan is to evade scrutiny from those in the country that he has left behind.”
In a media release, the opposition highlighted a number of regional healthcare announcements, including bush nursing services, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres, free public transport for health workers, hospital upgrades and brand new facilities, including a new West Gippsland Hospital – a pledge that has since been matched by Labor.
Two days later, Labor Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, visited Maffra District Hospital to tour the facilities with Central Gippsland Health staff.
“This is fantastic news for Maffra as it will allow residents to stay connected to their own communities,” he said.
Central Gippsland Health, which manages the JHF McDonald Wing, was contacted for comment.
