Page 2434 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 18 August 1993
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It has a secure dementia unit and is therefore able to provide care for residents with advanced dementia. At this point, Madam Speaker, I should announce to the members in this chamber that Jindalee has just been awarded accreditation. I think they are to be congratulated. It sends a good message to the community that we are able to pick up accreditation for that particular health facility.
Mrs Carnell: It was before.
MR BERRY: Well, it has just picked it up again. The continuing accreditation of that health facility sends strong messages to the community. It is also a signal to the community that the staff in the facility work very hard in their interests.
Burrangiri is a crisis care facility for people over the age of 60 when their carers are in need of relief. It is operated on behalf of ACT Health by the Salvation Army and has a residential capacity of 15 beds and a day care facility for 25 clients. This facility also acts as a respite care centre for the ageing in the ACT. Additional funds have been allocated through HACC to extend day care hours for weekends. I think Burrangiri was opened in 1989, from memory. The need for a facility in the northern part of Canberra will be examined in the light of the findings of the Standing Committee on Social Policy. The recommendation could cost $2m in capital expenditure and $800,000 in recurrent expenditure. A more economical approach might be to explore expanding Burrangiri's capacity on its adjacent site. Aged day care centres are provided at Narrabundah, Belconnen, Dickson and Tuggeranong. Occupational therapists, registered nurses and rehabilitation aides offer programs of care - for example, recreation, socialisation, support, and therapeutic activities - for frail older people who require more support than is available in mainstream community activities, and respite and counselling for carers. Narrabundah has two days a week for dementia clients and the Dickson day care centre has been funded to provide an evening service to support carers.
As with other States, there are complex divisions of funding responsibility between the ACT Government and the Commonwealth. Provision of services and resource allocation is further complicated by the geographic location of the ACT, which attracts consumers from the surrounding regions of New South Wales to utilise its health services. Generally, the current Commonwealth funding provided to nursing homes for the care of people with dementia is adequate. However, hostels which are operated by the non-government sector and are funded by the Commonwealth often find it difficult to provide care for people with dementia within their funding allocation. The non-government sector has a well-developed infrastructure for lobbying the Commonwealth. This Government will do all it can to support initiatives aimed at improving services for people with dementia and their carers.
MRS CARNELL (Leader of the Opposition) (11.14): Madam Speaker, I do not think anybody would dispute the need for improved dementia care in our health system, but I must admit that I was somewhat bemused to see this motion on the notice paper in the last session. I was bemused because part one and part two of this motion are almost identical to recommendations put forward by the Social Policy Committee in its report on aged accommodation and support services in the ACT. That report was tabled in this house in December 1992 and, at least to my knowledge, the Government has yet to respond to it.
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