Hepburn Shire Council has been recognised for excellence in the delivery of Aged Care and Disability Services in the Local Government Professionals (LGPro) Annual Awards.
Council sought to understand the impacts of changes in Commonwealth Aged Care funding and to understand the potential impacts of any decisions on particularly vulnerable community members. This was a three-year project which ultimately resulted in Council transitioning from service delivery into a focus on positive ageing.
Council undertook extensive consultation with the community through pop-up sessions and surveys. Important letters to clients and family were hand delivered because the impacts of COVID made postal services less reliable. Council also consulted with other councils on processes and outcomes.
The Council’s success has been recognised by other councils which have since contacted Hepburn Council for advice on resources in transitioning to new service provision paradigms with new providers.
In it’s citation, LGPro said “Community feedback on the transition has been overwhelmingly positive with the Council continuing to play an important role in helping the community navigate ageing and aged care services.”
At the time, the decision to stop providing aged care services angered many in the community and the Mayor, Cr Brian Hood acknowledged the difficulty of the decision that faced Council.
“The decision to withdraw from aged care provision was not an easy one for Council, but our focus was on the best interests of clients, families and carers, staff and the community. The sensitive and complex project was managed in a caring and considerate way,” said Cr Hood.
“Council has an ongoing commitment to resource and lead the implementation of our ‘No Barrier’ Positive Ageing Strategy 2022-2030, to help improve outcomes for older people our community,” he said.
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Hepburn Shire to Stop Providing Aged Care Services
New Aged Care and Disability Services Providers Selected for Hepburn
