The ACT government says it's open to using federal funds to refurbish a soon-to-be-closed respite care facility in Canberra’s south. Federal Labor has promised 10 million dollars for respite aged care beds in the ACT if it's re-elected. But the territory's health minister warns using that funding to upgrade the Burrangiri Aged Respite Care Centre might be more easily said than done.
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00:00Former carer Deb Stevens doubts she could have kept her late mother Gwen out of full-time
00:08aged care for as long as she did without the day respite program at Burangiri.
00:13They gave me support, they gave me love, they gave me so much validation to keep going.
00:21Earlier this year, the ACT Government confirmed it intends to close the Salvation Army run
00:27centre in Rivet when its contract expires in July, arguing the service operates out of
00:32an ageing building that requires expensive and extensive renovations. Federal Labor has
00:38since promised $10 million for respite aged care beds in the ACT if it's returned to
00:44government through a new or existing provider. Some argue Burangiri should be the recipient.
00:51We would like to see the government have a look at using the federal money to do whatever
00:56maintenance is required at Burangiri and keep it open until the new facility is available.
01:02But the ACT Health Minister thinks it's unlikely the funds could be used to upgrade the territory-owned facility.
01:08Any delivery on this commitment would have to abide by all of the rules around grants and
01:13procurement that the Commonwealth has in place and also that the facility would need to be an
01:18accredited aged care facility.
01:20Ms Stephen Smith is confident other providers will bridge a short-term gap in services.
01:26For some, like Deb, that's cold comfort.
01:29There may be a few issues with the building, but that isn't enough to whip the rug out from
01:36underneath people who use both the day program and the residential services.
01:42The ACT Government says it's open to using the facility for other community services,
01:46pending public consultation and approval.
01:50fiscal facilities and So nihil statement.
01:53Since there is a practical facility是的 services.
01:57There are local services that we're tapping to enter...
01:59...needスペーション…
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