Aged care facilities receive extra funding

Aged care facilities on the Peninsula may get up to $3 per resident per day in Federal funding "to ensure aged care providers can offer reinforced levels of safety and care to patrons".

Federal Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks said senior Australians were considered highly vulnerable when it came to the coronavirus.

"This is about keeping those people in residential aged care, protected and safe."

Facilities such as Peninsula Village in Umina was waiting to receive the payments.

Chief executive Mr Shane Neaves said the payment was "on top of the $1.80 we received at the start of May" and was "a start of what we need".

Mr Neaves said he was also negotiating with the Government over the eligibility criterion for the payment for aged care workforce retention.

The payments were directed towards aged care staff who had a hands-on role, but may exclude other vital staff members such as cleaning staff.

He said he was hoping the retention bonus would be inclusive of all staff members so that it could be fairly distributed across his team.

Ms Wicks said: "The health, wellbeing and safety of elderly residents is our highest priority.

"This measure helps reassure family and friends that everything is being done to look after their loved ones during this most difficult time.

"While Australia is doing well by international comparison, we must remain vigilant, particularly in residential aged care, to protect some of our most vulnerable Australians."

Providers will receive around $900 per resident in major metropolitan areas and around $1350 per resident in all other areas.

Media Release, 6 May 2020,

Lucy Wicks, Member for Robertson.

Interview (Haakon Barry), 8 May 2020

Shane Neaves, Peninsula Villages