General News
12 July, 2023
Ideas flow for the future of aged care
IDEAS for the future of aged care in Terang flowed at last week’s community meeting, with an early preference gaining traction among those in attendance.
IDEAS for the future of aged care in Terang flowed at last week’s community meeting, with an early preference gaining traction among those in attendance.
Terang residents have floated the idea of a new aged care facility being developed adjacent to Ambulance Victoria’s Terang station on Cameron Street, behind the hospital.
With the land unused and Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) a well-respected entity throughout the region, the idea of the health service being identified as a potential aged care provider to lead Terang’s future aged care services gained traction.
TMHS chief executive officer Julia Ogdin confirmed at last week’s community meeting on the future of aged care in Terang that the TMHS board had begun exploring potential uses for the land surrounding the hospital.
“In the last couple of weeks, the board of directors and the executive of the health service has been questioning as to whether that land could be put to some use in regards to residential aged care,” she said.
“What I am able to say is I’m sure the board of directors would have an appetite to explore something like that but we are a state-funded health service.
“This residential aged care issue is a federal, commonwealth funded issue; we would need to investigate a partnership arrangement if that were to happen.”
Mrs Ogdin said the closure of May Noonan had caused concern for TMHS as its state-run, 15-bed acute aged care facility, Mount View, lacks capacity to accommodate the needs of the community.
She signalled TMHS were receptive to working with both state and federal governments to explore expansion opportunities, but cautioned no commitments could be made with a lengthy process ahead.
“Moving forward the TMHS board of directors certainly has a clear commitment to aged care in this community,” Mrs Ogdin said.
“We do have some limitations on our ability to expand. There are some funding limitations given we are a state-provided, small rural health service which is funded by the Victorian government.
“We’re unable to commit to expansion, we would certainly like to and we can see the passion, but that’s something we would need to work through with the commonwealth.
“Planning is a commonwealth responsibility, and that’s where we run in to some challenges; which aren’t insurmountable.”
Mrs Ogdin said the state government had confirmed there was not currently an appetite to expand state beds, but felt support from the community would be a vital step in drawing interest from government in future developments.
“There is no doubt in anyone’s mind this community is extremely passionate and certainly supportive of aged care in to the future,” she said.
“All I can really say is that I think this would need to be a movement coming from the community to grow this idea, and to take it to a level where commonwealth or state government were able to pursue the idea further.”
Wannon MP Dan Tehan said another option worth exploring was whether an aged care provider may be willing to “come in and invest in the community”.
“I’ve spoken to a couple of providers who do have some interest (in Terang),” he said.
“One of the things which we have seen recently is the addition of independent living units open in smaller rural communities.”
While independent living units were considered a good option to explore, the community also voiced a desire for high-needs care options to be expanded.
Dixie’s Elizabeth English said she had recently gone through the heartbreaking process of seeking residential aged care support for a loved one.
“We can cope at home for so long with the independent living services that are provided but when it comes to the stage that we need to have our loved ones in permanent residential care, that’s what we need to be looking for,” she said.
Former Corangamite Shire mayor Chris O’Connor was among those to voice support for high-needs residential care.
“I think high needs aged care is really important, it’s going to grow and grow,” he said.
“We’re an aging population, dementia is becoming more prevalent as we’re living longer, and people just can’t stay in their own home.
“There are other high needs that can’t be left at home so we still need that care in the community.”