WEST Wimmera Shire Council is joining a long list of Victorian councils, withdrawing from the delivery of aged care services across the shire and has also announced the potential handover of early years services to specialist providers.
The council joins Glenelg Shire and most other local councils across Victoria, which have already withdrawn from aged care services ahead of the imminent commencement of the Federal Government’s new Support at Home Program.
Council’s withdrawal follows the enactment of the government’s Aged Care Act 2024, which requires all existing providers to comply with benchmarks relating to enhanced new clinical, governance and quality standards.
Non-specialist providers like councils do not have the ability to accommodate these benchmarks without substantial further investment in their internal governance, reporting and record keeping frameworks.
The appointment of a new aged care services provider can only be made by the Federal Government and such an appointment has not yet occurred.
However, council has informed the Federal Government of its preference that West Wimmera Health Service be appointed to deliver aged care services throughout West Wimmera Shire.
It is anticipated that existing staff will be offered employment by the new provider, with no job losses from the change.
West Wimmera Shire Council Mayor, Tim Meyer said the decision to withdraw was made due to recent legislative changes made by the Commonwealth Government.
“West Wimmera Shire Council is one of the last remaining Victorian councils delivering aged care services,” he said.
“However, council has carefully considered the viability of continuing to deliver those services following the recent changes to aged care made by the Commonwealth.
“Council does not have the ability to comply with the new clinical and governance requirements which have now been mandated by the Commonwealth.
“Only specialist health service providers are adequately equipped to accommodate these requirements due to their existing corporate structures.
