Major RAS success for Blue Care

Blue Care has won 100% of the tenders in the three most rural and remote government aged care regions: Central West, North West, South West plus major parts of Far North, Northern and Mackay.

Blue Care executive director, Robyn Batten, says it is a huge coup for the organisation, which has been assisting Queenslanders with services since 1953.

“Being a RAS provider builds upon the strong professional relationships and presence we have in more than 80 communities, and is a major success for the organisation,” Ms Batten says.

Blue Care’s success followed a Department of Social Services led call last year for tenders to operate the RAS. RAS will be introduced from July 1, 2015, with the view of establishing a consistent approach to assessment services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). 

Ms Batten says the RAS will initially deliver face to face assessments to people seeking aged care support in the home, before linking people to locally available services.

“Organisations who successfully tender, including Blue Care, will form part of a national network of My Aged Care Regional Assessment Services,” she adds.

“The RAS will be managed and governed separately to our existing services, which is a Government requirement to ensure the focus is on the needs and choices of each person.

“We look forward to partnering with organisations in each region, to help assess the home support needs of older people, and find their right provider of choice.”