Northern suburbs aged care providers approved for extra beds thanks to boosted Federal funding

AGED care providers have received approval to for 145 beds in Currambine, 120 beds in Alkimos and 19 extra beds in Marangaroo.

Federal Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt announced a $9.6 million allocation for places in WA in the latest aged care approval round today.

Southern Cross Care (SCC) plans to create a health and wellness precinct on Sunlander Drive that would have residential care for up to 145 seniors, including 60 specialist rooms and services for people with dementia.

Aegis Aged Care Group received approval to provide 120 beds on Magellan Road, Alkimos while Marangaroo’s Italian Aged Care has approval to provide another 19 beds.

SCC chief executive Errol Turner said research had shown high demand for services for the elderly in the Currambine area.

“Our long term plans are to further expand the site to offer an integrated health, wellness and residential care service for the local community,” he said.

“The integrated living model places the client at the centre by promoting the benefits of preventative health and wellness.

“Rather than offering just episodic health care for the elderly in a standard residential facility, the health and wellness precinct will provide a wide range of health services to meet the complex health needs of an ageing population.

“In addition to the 145 residential care places, we envisage housing options for downsizers to continue to live independently, delivery of in home care services, as well offering on site a health and wellness precinct with medical support of GPs and allied health.”

Moore MHR Ian Goodenough welcomed the announcement, and said he had advocated for increased spending on aged care in the community.

“It’s so important that we adequately accommodate our ageing population and ensure they have the level of care they require,” he said.

Mr Turner said SCC was discussing plans for the site with the City of Joondalup.

UPDATE, May 29: Pearce MHR Christian Porter said the Alkimos facility, opposite Northshore Christian Grammar School, would cater for population growth in the area.

“As our northern coastal corridor expands there is an identified and increased need in the area for residential aged care places,” he said.

“The new aged care facility in Alkimos will have 120 residential care places with places reserved to cater for people with dementia and those that need respite care.”

Cowan MHR Anne Aly welcomed the extra beds in Marangaroo, but said it was “not enough”.

“In Cowan we have around 11,000 people aged over 70, and, with this new announcement, less than 600 beds,” she said.

“We have a rapidly ageing population and need to give more attention to local aged care options – 19 beds in Marangaroo won’t cut it.”

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