Mildura Council pulling out of aged care next year
Mildura Rural City Council will no longer provide aged care services as of next June, citing the Federal Government’s new Support at Home program as the reason for its decision.
The program – which will combine existing services such as Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) into one streamlined system – has led many local councils, especially in Victoria, to pull out of aged care services; Mildura Council says it is “not in its best interests” to stay on as a provider.
According to Mildura Mayor Cr Liam Wood, the decision, which was made following three months of community consultation, was a tough one but ultimately right for the Mildura community.
“Making this decision now, more than 12 months before the Commonwealth’s proposed shift to the new Support at Home model, ensures our valuable clients and dedicated staff will be as prepared as they can be.
Mildura Council will see out the rest of its contract with the Commonwealth as a new provider is sought.