By YASEMIN TALAT
ST ALBANS aged care facility Westside Lodge is under threat of being sold under the Napthine Government’s move to privatise aged care facilities.
The Napthine Government’s State Budget Update released late last year outlined a reduction of $75 million from public sector aged care.
Shadow Minister for Seniors and Ageing, Jenny Mikakos said the move towards privatisation would limit choice for families.
“Mr Napthine’s plans to privatise aged care will limit choice for those living in the western suburbs, such as St Albans, which could lead to people paying more or having to move to another area,” Ms Mikakos said.
“The residents at Westside Lodge and their families have been left in the dark by Mr Napthine, who hasn’t been upfront with them about whether their bed will be sold off,” she said.
Ms Mikakos said there were many questions that needed to be answered.
“Mr Napthine should have the courage to come to St Albans and explain his decision to sell off aged care beds and what that will mean for seniors in the local area,” Ms Mikakos said.
“Does the planned sell-off include Westside Lodge, and will he guarantee that people can find an affordable place in a private aged care facility in St Albans now and into the future?” she said.
“What is driving the decision to sell off aged care facilities is the desire to reduce staff costs.”
Member for Derrimut Telmo Languiller joined Ms Mikakos last week to tour the facility.
Mr Languiller said under the Coalition, the public residential aged care sector had shrunk by 284 beds, despite Victoria’s ageing population.
“The privatisation has already begun with Rosebud Residential Aged Care Services quietly sold off late last year, and facilities have closed in Ballarat, Koroit, Melbourne, Williamstown, Castlemaine and Kyneton.
Mr Languiller said he was very concerned that Westside Lodge would be next.
“That is why we are launching a petition to persuade the Napthine Government not to sell off Westside Lodge,” he said.
“We simply can’t allow Mr Napthine to sell off the care of our seniors to the highest bidder.”
