National Aged Care Reforms commenced over five years ago with rolling changes to the sector. One of the next major changes is the introduction of the Commonwealth funded Consumer Directed Care service model from 30 June 2023.
In order to prepare the community for these forthcoming changes, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council entered into a partner provider agreement with mecwacare in December 2020 to deliver some in-home services to all new clients.
The next step in this process is Council’s recent decision in December 2021 to advise the Commonwealth Government to seek alternate providers for the delivery of some Commonwealth funded In-Home services for eligible residents over the age of 65 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders residents over the aged of 50.
The Commonwealth Government will now source a new provider to deliver the following services:
- Domestic Assistance
- Personal Care
- Shopping Assistance
- Respite Care
- Home Maintenance
From 1 July 2022 a new Commonwealth appointed service provider(s) will deliver these services to all eligible residents with Council supporting a seamless transition to a new provider.
The Shire will continue to provide Regional Assessment Services, Meals on Wheels and Dial-A-Bus services.
“With a new model of service delivery due to be introduced nationally in June next year, transitioning the service to a new provider this year will give our community the best chance at attracting quality service providers under the new model,” said Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh.
“We will also continue to deliver services to our current Home & Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP) clients who are 64 and under or 49 and under for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.”
Shire staff who currently deliver the services will continue to do so until 30 June 2022, or when the new Commonwealth-appointed provider(s) is in place. It is anticipated some staff will continue working in the aged care sector with any new provider(s). Clients of the service will not experience any gap in the service provided. The Commonwealth Government will appoint a new provider(s) and the transition is expected to be seamless.
Cr Marsh said: “Council still has a vital role to play in supporting our older population and ensuring the Peninsula is a place where people can expect to age well.
“Through future budgets, we intend to make a significant contribution to positive ageing and wellbeing programs to ensure our older residents remain healthy and connected to the community. The Commonwealth’s reforms to the aged care sector have essentially shifted Council’s role from one of service delivery to one of supporting, advocating and planning, to make sure older people continue to receive the support they need to remain independent and involved in the community.”
