Respite receives top-up
The Minister for Ageing hints at respite reform as she announces an extension to NRCP and CCP funding.
The Federal Government has renewed the funding for more than 500 community-based respite and carer support services.
A total of $438.33 million will be provided over three years for the continuation of the services under the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) and the affiliated Commonwealth Carelink Program (CCP).
“Access to timely respite care and other carer support is crucial to sustaining carers in their role,” said the Minsiter for Ageing, Justine Elliot.
“The Government estimates that the NRCP and CCP programs alone provide respite care, counselling, carer information and support services as well as carer planning to nearly 130,000 carers per year.”
The Minister also hinted at reform, saying that the Government was committed to improving community care operations.
She said that process could include initiatives to streamline respite services to make them more “sensible” for carers.
“Officers from the Department of Health and Ageing will be contacting services with expiring agreements over the coming days to provide more information about the extensions process,” said Mrs Elliot.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures from 2003 showed there were 2.6 million carers who provided some assistance to those who needed help because of disability or age.
A fifth of them were primary carers and 54 per cent were women.
