The Allan Labor Government is delivering high-quality care to older Victorians in the state's northwest, with upgrades at the Red Cliffs and Community Aged Care Services now complete.
Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today visited the service to announce the completion of the $191,000 refurbishment of Jacaranda Village's high-care building known as 'the Manor'.
The Manor's kitchen and servery area have been upgraded with new appliances including a fridge, freezer, commercial dishwasher and induction cooktop to support staff improve meal flows and to better manage the cook and chill process for residents.
The funding has also helped to refurbish the facility's outdoor space, including a new barbecue area, improvements to the garden and a new fully enclosed indoor-outdoor room with heating and cooling so residents can socialise with their friends, family and other residents all year round.
Importantly, the upgrade has incorporated dementia friendly design to accommodate Victorians with complex support needs, while enhancing the quality, safety, and amenity of the facilities for all residents and staff.
This project was made possible through the seventh round of the Labor Government's Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) - delivering infrastructure funding to rural and regional health services across Victoria to undertake work that will help to continue delivering safe and efficient care to local communities.
This latest project brings the total RHIF program funding for Red Cliffs and Community Aged Care Services to more than $624,000 with previous projects including Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and air conditioning system upgrades and other essential refurbishment works.
With 45 projects across 39 rural and regional health services, the program is ensuring communities continue to have access to high-quality care, no matter where they live - with the delivery of these projects also supporting hundreds of jobs across the state.
Established by the Labor Government in 2016 and overseen by the Victorian Health Building Authority, the RHIF program is now worth $790 million with more than 675 projects funded for regional health services - the largest investment ever dedicated grants program in Victoria's history.
As stated by Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt
"It is our priority to provide older Victorians with the best possible care in modern and comfortable settings and the upgrades at Red Cliffs and Community Aged Care Services will ensure that can happen both now and into the future."
"It was wonderful to see the residents of Red Cliffs and Community Aged Care enjoying the benefits of the new and upgraded facilities, and it's clear they are already making a meaningful impact on their mental and physical health."
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"We're modernising and upgrading infrastructure at our public residential aged care services right across Victoria, giving older Victorians the facilities and care they deserve."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"We know how important it is for older Red Cliff locals to feel confident in the quality and safety of care they receive, which is why we provided funding for this refurb to ensure they can live comfortably and safely."
