Concerns early election will stall aged care beds
There are concerns the change in Prime Minister may delay some current applications for more aged care beds.
The ABC local news has reported that the New South Wales town of Oberon is concerned about the Federal Department of Health and Ageing’s consideration of an application by aged care provider, Colombia Homes, for 88 beds to be allocated to the town.
A planned aged care complex would need at least 60 places.
Oberon Shire Mayor, Keith Sullivan, told the ABC that the change in Prime Minister from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard could hold up a decision on the bed numbers.
“Once an election is announced my understanding is that the government can’t really do too much and if there was a change in government they’d have the right to change it,” he said.
“We’ve been pushing for an early decision, the applications closed at the end of March and it’s now July.
“It was indicated a decision would be made in November which is a very difficult time if there’s going to be an election.”
Councillor Sullivan says he has contacted the Department of Ageing but they cannot provide any further information or assurance.
“It’s very difficult to tell us, no one probably knows when the next election’s going to be at this stage, but it is a concern,” he said.
“That’s what happened to us when this government took power from the Liberal party because we, at that stage, were almost concluding arrangements in regards to aged care.
“It may or may not be a change to government but it’s just a delay to the process is our concern.”
