Canberra’s $40 million commitment to NT aged care funding

Canberra has promised $40 million for aged care funding, but Territorians are still hearing crickets around another major plan. Read what’s missing.

generic aged care image

While more than 100 senior Territorians languish in hospitals instead of in much-needed aged-care beds, the federal government continues to drag its feet on construction of additional aged care places in the NT.

A statement from federal Labor on Thursday announced additional aged-care funding for the Territory, but did not identify a date work on two promised Top End aged care centres would begin.

Instead, it said the government would release an expression of interest next month to identify a partnership provider for a new 120-bed residential care home in Darwin, promised during the May election campaign.

The Commonwealth has promised to construct two aged care centres in the Top End, but few details about its plans have so far been made public.

A joint communique from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Territory Labor colleagues teased Territorians with the promise it would seek EOIs to build the new Darwin centre next month.

The Commonwealth has committed $60 million each to new aged care facilities in Darwin and Palmerston.

Council of the Ageing chief executive officer Sue Shearer said there were at least 104 seniors unable to live alone who were currently residing in Top End hospital beds.

She said Palmerston Hospital mainly had dementia patients and the remainder were at Royal Darwin Hospital.

“It’s untenable and harmful for people waiting in hospital for an aged care bed,” Ms Shearer said.

“There’s no lifestyle for them and it’s better when they can get in-home support packages among familiar surrounds.

“The Commonwealth dropped the ball on aged care about six years ago and we’ve been playing catch-up and in the meantime, people are suffering and not getting the services they need.”

The Commonwealth announced it would invest $40 million into bolstering aged care funding in the regions made up of:

* $34.6 million to rebuild the existing 25-bed facility at Pulkapulkka Kari Nursing Home and Hostel in Tennant Creek including culturally appropriate residential rooms and common areas, a dedicated palliative care suite, and a clinical hub

* $3.2 million to build modular staff accommodation units at Nganampa Ngura Mutitjulu-nya Flexible Aged Care facility at Mutitjulu

* $1.5 million to build staff accommodation houses and provide upgrades to the kitchen and other spaces at the Malandari Flexible Aged Care Service in Borroloola.

Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour welcomed the additional spending.

“I welcome our government’s investment in older Territorians,” she said.

“These new facilities will ensure that our elders receive the care they deserve as they age.

“The electorate of Lingiari is a broad and unique place, and it’s pleasing to see that these new aged care services will be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.”