​​​Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP and Member for South Coast, Liza Butler MP have welcomed news that more older residents in the Shoalhaven will be able to access the Transition Care Program (TCP) over the next two years.

The Albanese government has invested $40 million to extend the current temporary TCP places beyond their original completion date the 30 June.

The TCP is a flexible aged care program jointly funded by the Australian and state/territory governments on a 75% Commonwealth and 25% state basis.

The extension will last until 30 June 2025 and will deliver 265 TCP beds, an increase from the 230 currently available.

The extension includes 15 beds to address a high demand in the Shoalhaven. This will help alleviate pressure on Shoalhaven Hospital by enabling more people to transition out of hospital while they wait for appropriate support. Four of these beds are already operating in Nowra.

“This has been a major issue at Shoalhaven Hospital for far too long, and I’m glad that we been able to add more beds to the Transition Care Program to help ease some of that pressure,” Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP said.

This funding will mean more elderly people in need of residential care can be discharged from hospital while they wait for an appropriate residential placement.

“With an aging population, our region has lots of people transitioning into aged care from hospital, these additional beds will help support them with the care they need, and free up beds at Shoalhaven Hospital for other patients who need to be admitted,” Fiona said.

The TCP provides short-term therapy focused care and support services to older people for up to 12 weeks following discharge from hospital.

“I want older members of our community to be treated with the care and dignity they deserve. Making it easier for people to get out of hospital and into a residential facility, where they can receive an appropriate level of care, is an important part of this,” Fiona said.

These additional TCP places will assist elderly people to transition back into living in community residential aged care homes.

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to improving the aged care sector for both residents and workers. Delivering a 15 per cent rise to award wages for aged care workers and ensuring that a registered nurse will be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week in aged care homes.

In addition to these changes, the Albanese Government has developed an Industry Labor Agreement to ensure that qualified direct care workers can be quickly and efficiently recruited to work in the Aged Care Sector.

Mrs Phillips and Mrs Butler said it was fantastic to see the Federal and State Governments working towards a common goal.

“This is an exceptional result for ageing residents on the South Coast. Having gone through this process with ageing parents I understand what a stressful time this can be.” Member for South Coast Liza Butler said.

“Not only will it free up beds in our hospitals, it will also provide for more patients to be safely discharged while they wait for a residential placement to become available.” Liza concluded