New aged care facility at Smithton, Tas

The Tasmanian Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, has jointly opened a new $8 million aged care home at Smithton with Federal Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom.

Ms Giddings said the new Emmerton Park home demonstrated the benefits of all levels of government working with the community to meet local needs.

The new home has 60 places, with another 20 already planned.

“Circular Head now has a sustainable long term solution for the residential care needs of its senior citizens,” Ms Giddings said.

“The new facility brings together high care services previously provided in the Ambrose Home wing of the hospital with the hostel places previously provided by Emmerton Park.

“The transfer of aged care beds from the hospital will deliver a double benefit to Circular Head residents.

“It has freed up space to enable a $5 million re-development of the hospital which will be completed in October.

“The new hospital will meet all the contemporary quality, safety and building standards for the benefit of patients, staff, visiting specialists and the community.

“It will also allow for the co-location of community health services, enabling better integration and coordination of health services throughout Circular Head, in line with Tasmania’s Health Plan,” Ms Giddings said.