Aged care services and local jobs will have more certainty following the announcement of the acquisition of Kindred Living aged care facilities in Whyalla by Helping Hand.
Helping Hand has administered the facility since late last year, but the announcement they will permanently take over is great news.
In his first speech to the 47th Parliament, Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey called on the Albanese Government to match the Coalition’s $10m commitment to Helping Hand in Whyalla to extend and upgrade the Yeltana and Copper House Court facilities.
“While the Coalition commitment was not matched by the Labor Party during the campaign, I urge the Government to support regional aged care and the Whyalla facility,” he said.
“Whyalla needs capital investment in aged care facilities and assurance that Helping Hand is prepared to make a long-term commitment in the city has alleviated the uncertainty.
“We need to build a new wing on the Yeltana facility. We need to get rid of the shared rooms; we certainly need to get rid of the shared bathrooms. In this post-COVID world, the idea of shared bathrooms in aged-care facilities is not acceptable.
“The arrival of Helping Hand has stabilised a fragile service in Whyalla and I was very pleased to assist in securing around $3m from the previous government to facilitate the change in management.
“With that phase now complete and Helping Hand making a long-term commitment I am hoping the $10m for capital works we promised during the campaign will at least be matched in the November round of capital grants funding.
“It is imperative for the longevity of residential care in Whyalla we have a substantial cash injection from the Federal Government to bring facilities up to standard.
“I have raised the issue directly with Aged Care Minister Mark Butler and I am hoping he will take the issue seriously and move quickly.”
Sept 13 2022
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 8633 1744
