The lack of aged care options in Collie is an issue that needs addressing urgently according to Collie-Preston MP Mick Murray.
Mr Murray put the grievance to Minister for Health Doctor Kim Hames in Parliament last Thursday, highlighting the need for extra aged care beds in the Collie region.
“I grieve to the Minister for Health on an issue that is causing huge problems within not only the Collie town, but also the Collie region, which is aged people being kept in Collie Hospital because there are no beds available in aged-care facilities,” he said.
“$20 million was given to increase the number of aged-care beds around the south west region, the great southern and further, and I congratulate the government on that.”
“Unfortunately, over the last few years in Collie, the aged-care centre there has closed a wing, reducing the number of beds by 14.”
“That means that people who probably should go straight across the road from Collie Hospital into the aged-care centre—it is not far across—cannot.”
“For reasons that are very hard to find out, the wing has been shut.”
“The facility has said that it has been closed because of financial reasons, but it is being used as accommodation quarters for people who work in the aged-care centre.”
Mr Murray addressed the issue that the long term hospital stays are costing the government a great deal more than if a resident was in an aged care facility.
“Last week four people were in the Collie Hospital who probably should be in aged care.
“It is costing the system a huge amount, around $1 200 a day, whereas if there were an agreement with the government, they could be housed in ValleyView Residence for around $300 a day.
“We cannot keep pretending that everything is well in this area.”
“I wrote to the Minister for Health previously on this issue, and he rejected my proposal, which is fine, I copped that at the time, but the situation has got worse.”
Mr Murray called for an audit into the cost of keeping aged-care people in hospital and also an audit on the ValleyView Residence to see why it has shut that wing.
“If we cannot go through an ordinary audit, there should be a government inquiry into why that facility has now shut one wing. An inquiry will certainly clear the air,” he said.
“I am concerned that I am hearing Valleyview may not be commercially viable and we could lose the aged care facility to the area.”
“ValleyView should make a public statement as to where they currently stand." Dr Kim Hames responded to Mr Murrays comments, saying having people in our hospitals costs a lot of money, but we work really hard to get them out.
“There are three in the hospital at the moment,” he said.
“One of them has found a place and is moving; of the remaining two people, one is the absconder who the member talked about.”
“He was found a place but he kept absconding and finding an alternative place is not enough.”
“The place across the road (Valleyview) will not take them, I presume, because it will lose money.
“We cannot say, “You’ve got to take them, or else.”
“We cannot just say bad luck if it tells us that it will lose money by taking those people.”
“We do not fund those things and we cannot fund those things.”
Southern Cross Care Head of Marketing Tracey King said Southern Cross Care and Riverview Residence recognises the demand for aged care services is growing and demand for residential aged care services in WA outstrips the supply of available places in some regions.
“SCC and RRI acknowledge local Collie MP Mick Murray’s view that keeping the elderly in hospital for extended periods of time is not only expensive, it may not deliver the best care outcomes,” she said.
“Elderly people who require rehabilitation services following discharge from hospital may be able to access home care services in Collie.”
“In many instances this provides a positive outcome in a home environment that enables the person to continue living independently.”
Ms King said Southern Cross Care is able to offer community based services for the ageing community in Collie, including support for their families.
“Support is available for varying care needs and circumstances,” she said.
“Currently in Collie there is one residential care bed vacancy, available for a person with high care needs.”
“As with many homes, RRI ValleyView Residence in Collie works closely with the local hospital’s discharge planner and general practitioners to manage their wait list.”
“Access to residential care places are only made available to people who have been deemed eligible for aged care services by an Aged Care Assessment Team and are generally for people with high care or complex needs.”
