National aged and disability services reforms

The Commonwealth Government has appointed two new providers to deliver in-home care to Peninsula residents under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

In light of the National Aged Care Reforms introduced by the Commonwealth Government the Shire will no longer be a provider of in-home support services from 1 July 2022. 

These services will now be delivered by mecwacare and Bolton Clarke (formerly the Royal District Nursing Service).

The services to be delivered by the new providers are for residents aged over 65 and Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander residents aged over 50. The services include:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Shopping Assistance
• Respite Care
• Home Maintenance (this service will be provided solely by mecwacare).

We have written to all clients of the home support program asking them to tell us which of the new providers they prefer.

Shire staff who currently deliver the services will continue to do so until 30 June. We expect some staff will transition to the new provider and continue in their roles. 

If you have further questions, please contact Charlene Pereira, Team Leader Aged & Disability Services.

• Phone - 03 5950 1709
• Email - community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au

A message from Mayor Anthony Marsh

We are working closely with the Commonwealth Government and the new providers to ensure the changeover goes smoothly. Current services will remain in place until the change is complete and we expect there to be minimal disruption to care.

I would like to thank all clients of our in-home services for their patience during the move to a new national system of in-home aged care delivery. The Commonwealth Government’s Aged Care Reform is aimed at giving Australians a choice in providers, and easier access to a broad range of services.

With a new model of service delivery due to begin nationally in June next year, transitioning to new providers now gives our community the best chance at securing quality service providers under the new model.

In December 2021 Council advised the Commonwealth Government to seek alternate providers for the delivery of some Commonwealth funded In-Home services for eligible residents over the age of 65 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders residents over the aged of 50.

The Commonwealth Government will now source a new provider to deliver the following services:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Shopping Assistance
• Respite Care
• Home Maintenance

From 1 July 2022 a new Commonwealth appointed service provider(s) will deliver these services to all eligible residents with Council supporting a seamless transition to a new provider.

The Shire will continue to provide Regional Assessment Services, Meals on Wheels and Dial-A-Bus services.

Shire staff who currently deliver the services will continue to do so until 30 June 2022, or when the new Commonwealth-appointed provider(s) is in place.

It is anticipated some staff will continue working in the aged care sector with any new provider(s).

Clients of the service will not experience any gap in the service provided. 

On 1 December 2020 the Shire  entered into a partnership with mecwacare to deliver in-home services, including domestic assistance, personal care, respite care and shopping support, to new clients over the age of 65.

mecwacare has extensive experience delivering in-home services across Victoria with community care and residential facilities in Mornington, Safety Beach and Shoreham. mecwacare employs local people with local area knowledge and established community connections, offering great opportunities and support for residents.

In-home services to existing clients over 65 years of age, as well as Meals on Wheels, Home Maintenance, Community Transport and Positive Ageing Programs will continue to be provided by the Shire. All services to people under 65 years of age with an assessed need will continue to be delivered by the Shire.

In response to recent Commonwealth Government reforms of aged care, at the Council meeting on Tuesday 10 December Council made the decision to continue providing home care, personal care and respite care. Current clients will continue receiving services as usual from Mornington Peninsula Shire. 

The Shire is committed to continuing to provide services for existing clients, ensuring continuity of care and workforce stability.

During 2020, Council will be seeking to partner with another organisation to provide home care, personal care and respite care services to new clients only from July 2020, providing a gradual transition to the new aged care system.

Meals on Wheels, Home Maintenance, Community Transport and Positive Ageing Programs will continue to be provided as usual.

This model ensures continuity of care for clients, workforce stability and is the best available option to transfer to the new aged care system with the best possible outcome for older residents.

The Shire will support older residents to navigate the increasingly complex aged care and disability systems to ensure they are able to access appropriate services.

For more information:

• Phone us on 5950 1617
• Email us at community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au

In 2020, the Commonwealth Government intends to introduce an open market aged care system where there will be a range of providers available and clients will be able to choose who they receive their services from.

In response to this new system, all Councils across Victoria will need to ensure that they can respond appropriately to these changes. 

The Shire will therefore be undertaking a Request for Proposal (RFP) and community engagement exercise over the next few months to ensure all options can be considered by Council in the lead up to the transition of funding arrangements in 2020.

The Shire is committed to ensuring continuity of care for clients as these changes are introduced. Services will continue as normal during this period and we will keep clients and community informed throughout the process.

The services included in the information gathering exercise include:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Respite Care
• Social Support – Individual (Shopping Assistance)

The following services are not included in the RFP:

• Meals on Wheels
• Assessment
• Home maintenance
• Community Transport
• Seniors Clubs
• Positive Ageing

Council is not obligated to proceed with appointing a new service provider at the conclusion of the RFP process.

To inform this process, in March 2019 Council commenced a three month consultation process to engage with current clients of councils aged care services, older residents and their carers living in the Shire and other interested people including health and aged care providers.

Council invited all interested stakeholders to contribute their feedback and advice by telephone, email, letter and by participating in consultation sessions conducted throughout the Shire in April 2019.

The outcomes from the consultation will be presented to Council for their consideration of the best way to transition from the current to future aged care system and the best role for the Shire to play in supporting older residents. Clients and community members will be regularly informed and involved throughout this process.

Further information and consultation opportunities will be available over the coming months and we look forward to working closely with you as we prepare to respond to the changes emerging from the Aged Care Reform

If you have any questions/would like more information or you would like to give us your views, please do not hesitate to phone us on 5950 1688 or email community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au