Better aged care services for seniors in Cunnamulla

February 9, 2022

The Cunnamulla Multipurpose Health Service will strengthen their resident care service and create a safer and more comfortable environment for residents under the latest investment from the Australian Government.

The Cunnamulla Multipurpose Health Service will receive $600,000 from the $35.3 million multi-purpose services (MPS) program, which will see 110 aged care sites benefit from minor capital grant projects averaging $321,000 each. Over $4.34 million will flow to eight health services in Maranoa.

Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the funding represented an important opportunity for the Cunnamulla Multipurpose Health Service to deliver improvements and ensure quality levels of care are maintained.

“This funding is an avenue for providers to maintain and reinforce the health, safety and wellbeing of residents – and it offers peace-of-mind for families eager to ensure their loved one receives quality care,” Mr Littleproud said.

“We know how important it is for older Australians receiving care to maintain social connections and these services will allow people to stay in these communities, close to their family and friends.”

Providers of MPS sites will soon have the chance to expand their services, with 100 new residential care places on offer through a competitive allocation round.

Mr Littleproud flagged that the grant funding and the MPS places round join the $18.3 billion aged care reform package as part of the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

“The Royal Commission recommended the MPS program should be maintained and extended, and $35.3 million in grant funding and a further 100 places in 2022 will do just that,” he said.

The maximum funding available for each individual MPS site is $600,000, with providers also required to contribute at least 20 per cent of the total project costs. Grant funding will be allocated across the 2021–22 and 2022–23 financial years.

The MPS grants build on the single largest investment in residential aged care infrastructure in Australia’s history, which in July 2021 saw $150 million in capital grants allocated to residential care services, predominantly in regional and remote Australia.