Council to withdraw from Aged & Disability services

Council to withdraw from Aged & Disability services

Published on 03 July 2023

Gannawarra Shire Council will withdraw from being an approved Aged and Disability Services provider from 31 October 2023.

Council resolved at its June 2023 meeting to begin transitioning out of Aged and Disability Services, ending an association with this sector that began when Gannawarra Shire was three separate municipalities.

“Council is proud to have provided Aged and Disability services to our residents for the past 35 years, which have enabled residents to enjoy a quality of life whilst at home. Over the years these services have expanded to include Workcover and TAC clients, then grew in 2019 when we became an accredited National Disability Insurance Scheme provider,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson.

“The planned introduction of the Federal Government’s new Support at Home program, which is part of its National Reform of Aged Care, will combine the Commonwealth Home Support Program and other aged care programs. This has resulted in Gannawarra Shire, like many other councils across the region, to consider its future role in aged and disability service delivery.”

Since March 2023, Council has held numerous discussions with the Federal and State Government, as well as local not-for-profit providers, regarding the future of Aged and Disability services in the municipality, with the State and Federal Government’s to determine new providers to deliver services within the municipality.

“The Federal and State Government’s are responsible for the selection and appointment of any new provider of services, with Council in regular contact with relevant departments to ensure a smooth transition of services,” Mr Rollinson said.

“A Gannawarra-based not-for-profit health service has expressed a desire to take on the delivery of Community Care services in the Gannawarra, should Council choose to cease providing these services.”

To assist with the process associated with the withdrawal of services, Council will hold a Community Care Services Info Roadshow during July, enabling current and prospective clients to meet with Community Care Services management and learn more about the service’s transition. Sessions will be held on the following dates:

Monday, 17 July: 10am-11.30am – Kerang Senior Citizens Clubrooms Tuesday, 18 July: 9.30am-11am  - Barook Senior Citizens Centre, Koondrook Tuesday, 18 July: 11.30am-1pm – Cohuna Community Meeting Room Tuesday, 18 July: 2.30pm-4pm – Leitchville Memorial Hall Tuesday, 25 July: 9.30am-11am – Lake Charm Hall Tuesday, 25 July: 12 noon-1.30pm – Murrabit Hall Thursday, 27 July: 9.30am-11am – Quambatook Senior Citizens Hall Thursday, 27 July: 11.30am-1pm – Lalbert Recreation Reserve

“Council thanks our dedicated Community Care staff and volunteers for the care they have provided to our Community Care clients, with Council committed to continuing to provide a high quality of service, delivered with kindness, compassion and care, between now and 31 October,” Mr Rollinson said.

For more information regarding the future of Community Care services in the Gannawarra, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/CommunityCare