MSWA’s $8 million facility in Butler is providing services and accommodation for people living with a neurological condition in surrounding areas.
The facility, officially opened this month, provides services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, speech pathology, dietetics, counselling, social welfare services and peer group sessions, as well as a base for staff co-ordinating home support.
It also provides 24/7 care for up to 10 people who can no longer stay in their own homes, offering an alternative for younger people who might otherwise be at risk of going into aged care facilities due to their high care needs.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW
Kate Gild, diagnosed with MS when she was 33 years old, has been loving her new home at Butler.
“Before the move, I was living in Treendale for almost three years and my life was fine but it was just so far away from my friends and family,” she said.
“It makes me appreciate the simple things like having friends over for a coffee or going to my parents’ house which has proved difficult whilst living regionally.
“The on-site care and support allows me to lead a fulfilling and independent life – I can take myself to physiotherapy sessions or go grocery shopping.”
Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson and MSWA chief executive Marcus Stafford attended the October 3 opening.
“MSWA has a number of service centres in metropolitan and regional Perth, but we saw a need to provide a high-support accommodation option in Perth’s northern suburbs,” Mr Stafford said.
“The number of people using our high-support accommodation facilities has significantly increased and it’s important that we can continue increasing our footprint to enable us to provide support and services for people experiencing the effects of disability.”
Mr Stafford said Butler was part of the organisation’s long-term strategic growth plan, which would continue to develop a network of facilities covering both metropolitan and regional areas.
MSWA has 14 facilities across WA, with plans to increase that to more than 20 within the next few years.
“In the not-too-distant future we’re also looking to establish high-support accommodation facilities in Albany and Shenton Park,” Mr Stafford said.
“We want to increase the number of services we provide to our members, their families and carers.”
He thanked Western Australians for supporting MSWA by buying tickets in its Mega Home Lotteries, taking part in events like MSWA Ocean Ride or for making bequests and donations.
Plasma awareness week highlights lifesaving gift
