Council confirms decision to transition from aged care services

Published on 28 February 2023

Following their in-principle decision in October 2022, Glenelg Shire Council has confirmed its decision to cease delivering aged and disability services from 1 July this year. Councillors formalised the decision at today’s Council Meeting (28 February). The formal decision by Council follows extensive consultation with staff, clients and the wider community over the past 6 weeks.

Glenelg Shire Mayor, Cr Scott Martin, reiterated that the transition to a new provider will not occur until the start of July at the earliest and that there will be no immediate change to services.

“Council is committed to completing its existing contract with the Federal Government, which ends 30 June 2023. The Federal and State Governments will appoint one or more providers to deliver services including home care, personal care, social support groups, property maintenance and food services after this time,” Cr Martin said.

“This has been a very difficult decision, and we thank our clients and their families, our dedicated and hardworking staff and the wider community for their open and honest engagement over the past month,” he said.

Glenelg Shire Council is amongst a host of other local government bodies to cease the provision of these services after significant changes to the aged and disability service industry were introduced by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government’s Aged Care Reforms aim to create a national, simplified and integrated aged care program that provides older Australians with quality, choice, control and better access to a full range of services. These reforms provide older residents, aged 65 and over, with the right to choose between multiple approved providers to source the care they require as their needs change.

“The new approach will be consumer driven, allowing clients to choose their preferred provider of services,” Cr Martin said.

“Whilst these changes provide more choice for clients, the reforms mean Council’s services would be unable to adapt to meet the new requirements without significant change and cost to the community.”

Cr Martin said that Council will work closely with the Federal Government to find a suitable provider that can deliver these services to the high standard expected by our community.

“Council believes it is in the best interests of our clients and community to transition this service to a new provider and is committed to ensuring a smooth transition,” Cr Martin said.

Cr Martin said the transition to a new provider will create an opportunity for Glenelg Shire Council to play a more focused role in supporting all older residents in the community, in areas that align to Council’s strategic focus.

“We also propose continuing to play an active role in ensuring our community receives high-quality aged care services and will strongly advocate for the needs of vulnerable community members,” he said.

Cr Martin thanked Council’s aged and disability staff for their professionalism and their ongoing support for the community’s elderly residents and said staff will also be supported throughout the transition.

“Council has processes in place to support staff in their transition,” he said.

Council will provide further updates as information becomes available.