Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Ministers statements: Camperdown aged care services

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:36): I rise to update the house on the construction of a brand new public aged care facility in Camperdown, and in doing so I would like to acknowledge the work of my colleague member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney, who has been a very strong advocate for this facility.

The brand new facility, backed by a $39.6 million investment from the Allan Labor government, will feature 36 beds over two storeys and will replace an ageing Merindah Lodge at the Camperdown Hospital. Creating a safe and comfortable place for residents to call home, the new facility will feature dementia-friendly design. Residents will be accommodated in single bedrooms but will be incorporated into small households with dedicated kitchen, dining, lounge and breakout sitting areas. It means residents can age in place, an important approach to aged care for many older people, particularly in regional areas, as it allows residents to remain close to support networks and maintain family connections as their care needs increase. This project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with South West Healthcare and is on track to be completed by 2025.

We are continuing to support regional communities to age in place by delivering several new or redeveloped residential aged care facilities across the state, and this year’s budget allocated $162 million in funding to deliver new facilities in Cohuna, Numurkah and Maffra. I am very proud of these investments in safe and comfortable facilities that allow our senior Victorians to age in place, and I look forward to seeing this new facility open in 2025.