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Bairnsdale Regional Health Service gets $85,000 upgrade to improve well being of aged care residents

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service success in aged care grants that will benefit Bairnsdale Regional Health Nursing Home, Jacaranda House Hostel and Sutherland Lodge to improve aged care wellbeing.

By news@gippsland - 23rd August 2022 - Back to News

The Andrews Labor government is making sure older Victorians continue to receive high-quality care, with more than 80 public sector aged care residential facilities receiving grants for upgrades. Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing today announced Bairnsdale Regional Health Service was among the successful recipients of $5.3 million in aged care equipment and facility upgrades that create new ways for residents to stay connected with each other and their loved ones.

Residential aged care facilities allow and provide a permanent and respite residents to age within the facility promoting independence and quality of life

Keeping residents active

The program helps staff provide more diverse and meaningful activities for residents and enhance their engagement with the outside community, particularly during the global pandemic, when people can't always rely on their usual methods of communication and contact.
The investments include:

• $1.6 million in grants for services to purchase devices such as laptops or tablets. This equipment can be used to help residents keep in touch online with family and loved ones and to bolster telehealth capacity
• $2.3 million for a pilot program to establish kitchen gardens in residential homes and improve wellbeing and social connections for residents
• $1.4 million to provide minor capital grants through the Significant Facility Refurbishment Initiative (SFRI) to support projects that enhance the quality and amenity of residential aged care facilities that directly benefit residents

Recipients include Bairnsdale Regional Health Service which received $85,000 in total for Bairnsdale Regional Health Nursing Home, Jacaranda House Hostel and Sutherland Lodge to create a series of accessible outdoor areas that incorporate kitchen gardens with a wide variety of edible plantings for residents to enjoy all year round.

Improving public aged care

These grants also support the recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission, which identified the need for greater emphasis on programs that increase community engagement, reduce social isolation, and enhance resident well being.

The Labor government has invested more than $618 million in capital improvements to public sector aged care since 2014, including more than $320 million in rural and regional Victoria.

Extra support for the elderly

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "Bairnsdale Regional Health Service is a key part of the Gippsland community and provides a vital service for our local elderly population. We're ensuring residents and staff are getting extra support to help them through these challenging times."

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks said, "The pandemic has highlighted the importance of keeping active and staying connected in our communities. Through these projects, we're making sure residents in our public sector residential aged care facilities have those opportunities too."

Pictures from Bairnsdale Regional Health Service Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Flight test command centre opens, strengthening Latrobe's role in Australia's advanced aviation innovation sector and creating new opportunities
  Latrobe's new Flight Test Range Command Centre has opened at Latrobe Regional Airport, supporting advanced aviation research, drone technology, investment, manufacturing growth and skilled jobs across the region.
• Free green waste disposal helps East Gippsland residents prepare properties for upcoming bushfire season from 1 to 30 November 2026
  East Gippsland residents can dispose of eligible green waste free throughout November to reduce bushfire risks. Council also encourages safe gas bottle disposal and separating green waste from general rubbish to save fees.
• Darren Chester slams Victorian Labor over five-year delay in critical Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade despite federal funding
  Darren Chester has slammed Victoria's Labor Government over the stalled Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade, despite $10m federal funding committed in 2021, saying Gippsland communities have waited five years for promised safety improvements.
• Draft Omeo District Place Plan released for after 10 months of consultation for final community feedback until 2 October 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council has released the draft Omeo District Place Plan for feedback, prioritising health, education, housing, employment, social connection, environmental care and emergency preparedness. Submissions close October 2.
• Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
  The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure.
• Darren Chester releases 2026 Age Pension Guide to help older Gippslanders navigate retirement support and services
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has released his 2026 Age Pension Guide, providing older Gippslanders, pensioners, carers and families with information about pensions, concessions, aged care and government services.
• Nicholson Street Mall safety works begin as council plans longer-term redevelopment and community consultation for future improvements
  Works at Nicholson Street Mall will improve safety and amenity, including relocating the taxi rank and removing outdated infrastructure, while Council develops longer-term redevelopment plans and community consultation.
• Nationals introduced Bill to protect Victoria's agricultural land from poorly planned development and improve food security
  The Nationals introduced a Victorian bill to protect agricultural land from poor development, recognising farming's $22 billion contribution and supporting long-term food security.
• Gippsland Water increases basin cover cleaning to annual schedule to protect drinking water quality across service area
  Gippsland Water is increasing drinking water basin cover cleaning from every 18–24 months to annually, helping prevent damage, reduce contamination risks and protect water quality.
• Swooping season returns across Latrobe, with council urging residents to take precautions around nesting birds
  Latrobe City Council is urging residents to stay alert during swooping season, avoid nesting areas where possible, check Victoria’s Swooping Bird Map and take precautions when walking outdoors.
• Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
  The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• RACV survey highlights Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, prompting renewed calls for improved safety
  RACV’s 2026 survey ranks Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, citing potholes, poor surfaces and safety issues. Nationals MP Danny O’Brien has outlined a $5 billion regional roads commitment.
• East Gippsland's new disability network brings diverse community voices together to help shape council decisions and services
  East Gippsland’s new Disability Network has attracted 33 expressions of interest, bringing together people with disability, carers, families and sector representatives to help shape Council decisions and improve accessibility.
• East Gippsland Council calls for ESVF levy reform ahead of November Victorian state election
  East Gippsland Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to reform the ESVF levy, citing disproportionate regional costs and seeking fairer, transparent emergency services funding.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks community members, reflects on achievements and highlights upcoming projects in final annual mayoral column
  East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks residents for their contributions, highlights upcoming projects and community celebrations, and encourages feedback on the Bairnsdale 2050 Strategy before concluding her annual mayoral column.
• Baw Baw Shire Council keeps fortnightly red bins, weekly FOGO collections despite petition calling for weekly rubbish service
  Baw Baw Council will retain fortnightly red-bin and weekly FOGO collections despite a 6,139-signature petition seeking weekly rubbish services, citing $173,000 annual costs and reduced landfill waste.