Extra places for grey state

The Minister for Ageing has announced 375 additional aged care places for SA and pledged ongoing commitment to Labor’s election promises.

The Commonwealth Government will provide an extra 375 residential aged care places for South Australia.

The Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot made the announcement during her first visit to the state as minister.

The additional beds which were allocated in last year’s Aged Care Approvals Round will cost $13.96 million a year.

With 15.1 per cent of its population aged over 65, South Australia has the greatest proportion of seniors of any state or territory in Australia.

“These new places are an important starting point in ensuring that the services in South Australia keep pace with an increasing ageing population,” Mrs Elliot said.

“I look forward to working with local communities and aged care providers to deliver both the quality and appropriate quantity of aged care places that South Australia needs.”

The new places were shared among fourteen South Australian aged care providers.

Mrs Elliot said the Australian Government recognised the importance of ageing and aged care.

“As the Minister for Ageing, I am focused on delivering the policy commitments we made at the last election,” she said.

These election promises included a review of the annual allocation process, an extra 2000 transition care beds and a $7 million incentive-package to encourage 1000 nurses to join the aged care workforce.

Mrs Elliot did not give a date for the appointment of the pledged Ambassador for Ageing, saying she would make an announcement “later this year”.

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