By Olivia Condous
Moorabool council has officially named two successors that will service aged care clients within the shire area, once council ceases its services from July 1.
Silver Chain Victoria has to provide aged care services to residents over 65 years of age and Mecwacare has been appointed by the Victorian government to provide care for council clients aged under 65 living with a disability.
The council first announced it would transition away from delivering all aged care and disability services in early March, citing changes in federal government policy as making a continuation of the support unworkable.
Elder Rights Advocacy programs manager Debra Nicholl said the transition to the new service providers could worsen regional staff shortages further.
“What we’ve seen in other areas, is that that pool of workers themselves are getting close to retirement,” Ms Nicholl said.
“We will lose some of those workers to that, they may have continued on with a known and trusted provider like the council may but now they’ll decide they won’t continue working in aged care now.”
Ms Nicholl said larger providers may not also be able to facilitate as wide of a range of services compared to a local provider.
“They don’t have the ability necessarily to be as flexible as councils were… so then they have to subcontract [extra services] at a higher cost, usually to the person’s package of care.”
Moorabool council mayor Tom Sullivan said the council had worked very closely with clients and staff throughout the transition process.
“Although local government will no longer be delivering these services, our priority is making sure those in our community who accessed these services continue to receive a very high standard of care,” Cr Sullivan said.
Cr Sullivan said the council would continue to provide resources to support and inform residents and to help existing clients with the transition.
“We will continue to ensure open and transparent communication and a smooth transition for clients and staff.”
Ms Nicholl urged residents to ensure they made informed decisions about the future of their care.
“People have a choice as to who will provide the care… people can access any provider who is providing services in this area.”
