Welcome to Echuca Community for the Aged 

Budget 2021

Last week, as part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Australian Government announced a $17.7 billion package of support for aged care in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The reforms will be centred on five pillars to be delivered over 5 years:

• Home care – supporting senior Australians who choose to remain in their home
• Residential aged care services and sustainability – improving and simplifying residential aged care services and access
• Residential aged care quality and safety – improving residential aged care quality and safety
• Workforce – supporting a growing and better-skilled care workforce
• Governance – new legislation and stronger governance.

We will receive an extra $10 dollars per day in a new basic daily supplement for each of our permanent residents from the 1st of July 2021. Although welcome, the $10 Basic daily fee supplement will improve our financial viability but not eliminate the significant losses incurred by ECA in operating Wharparilla Lodge.

The budget also failed to adequately address the important issue of improved workforce entitlements i.e. wage increases and this remains the major concern with ECA’s inability under current funding levels to adequately reward and develop our wonderful staff to continue their high standards of care.

Covid-19 Vaccination

A big thankyou to staff that have the first round of their vaccinations. I had mine with a group of staff at the Lodge on Wednesday 19 May. If you missed out on Wednesday, don’t forget that Echuca Regional Health Covid Vaccination Clinic is open daily from 10am to 12 noon, 1.30pm to 3.00pm and 5.00 7.30pm on Tuesday evenings commencing on the 25th May.

Regards

John Dean

Chief Executive Officer