GANNAWARRA Shire Council is confident there will be a smooth transition of its aged and disability services to a local provider.
The council decided at last week’s monthly meeting to work through options within the Community Care Business Plan, with a final decision to be made in June.
Gannawarra Times understands a local provider will help grow the range of services, including meals on wheels, with no consumers left behind and the majority of jobs to also transition.
The council had spent the past year exploring options for its community-care services through the development of a business plan, prompted by the planned introduction of the Federal Government’s new Support at Home program as part of its reform of aged care.
Buloke Council recently made an in-principle decision to move out of community care.
Home-care service funded by the Federal Government was focused on enhancing clients’ independence by providing assistance in a range of areas.
Carers could undertake essential house cleaning, work to maintain a safe, comfortable and healthy home environment, and monitor the wellbeing and other circumstances of clients.
The Age reported last August that 23 councils across the state no longer provided in-home aged care or were in the process of closing their programs.
The report said councils were moving away from providing the services because the Federal Government was changing from block funding, in which councils get a set amount of money to provide services based on how many elderly people need support, to a consumer-directed model.
The plan would combine the Commonwealth Home Support Program and a range of other aged-care programs, meaning councils have had to reconsider their role in service delivery.
Gannawarra Shire will also relinquish its status as a National Disability Insurance Scheme provider.
The council became a registered provider in 2018 following concerns regarding availability of community providers.
Gannawarra was the only rural local government area that offered NDIS services.
Council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said there were now more providers offering NDIS services that complemented community care in Gannawarra, increasing opportunities to work in partnership or integrate health services for the betterment of the community.
“To move from a community-driven model to a clinical-based model with one of the local providers just makes sense,” he said.
“It makes sense to be all in one area so it’s a one-stop shop for health services.”
Mr Rollinson said other councils that had gone through the transition reported smooth transitions with “minimal” impact to clients.
“For NDIS participants, their care will be continued because ultimately they have the package … the funding depending on the level of disability or impairment, so they can go through who they chose,” he said.
Mr Rollinson said the decision to start broader discussions with local providers, staff and volunteers would help support a final decision to ensure services would continue and grow into the future.
“Council is working to determine the best solution for aged and disability services within Gannawarra that ensures continuity of service for our clients and provides an opportunity for the service to continue to grow and develop.
“It is essential for current service delivery to adopt, embrace and enhance the opportunities ahead, to ensure the community benefits from future programs and service delivery.”
Mr Rollinson said the council was “committed to the continuation of delivering high-quality services” in Gannawarra and would be “working hard to ensure a positive outcome for all involved”.
“In the meantime, there will be no immediate change to council’s service delivery, with council committed to continuing to support our clients.”
Mr Rollinson thanked staff and volunteers for their commitment and continued dedication to clients and the broader community in their delivery of high-quality services.
“Our community-care staff provide an outstanding service to residents within our community, delivered with kindness, compassion and care,” he said.
Dean Hurlston, of Ratepayers Victoria, said he expected 80 per cent of councils to get out of home aged-care services rather than continue to provide services under the consumer-directed model.
“They just can’t make money out of it any more as it has to be cost neutral,” he said.
Frequently asked questions on the council decision can be viewed at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/CommunityCare
“The changes within the sector are quite complex and we encourage our community to take the time to read the FAQs to gain further understanding of council’s decision,” Mr Rollinson said.
