The Allan Labor Government has delivered a modern refresh at the Barrabill House Public Sector Residential Aged Care Service (PSRACS) in Seymour - giving residents access to the high-quality facility they deserve.
Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes today unveiled the $3.17 million upgrade that includes 10 new single rooms with ensuites and refurbished kitchen, dining and lounge areas, creating a home-like environment for residents.
These new facilities have increased the capacity of Barrabill House to 40 residents, meaning more older Victorians in the Goulburn Valley can now benefit from quality care closer to home.
Barrabill House staff and community members have provided valuable feedback on the facility's design to ensure it meets the needs of residents and staff alike, thanks to a unique 'real life' design experience.
The revamp of Barrabill House was made possible through the Labor Government's flagship $350 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, supporting aged care and health services to ensure Victorians can access the very best care, no matter where they live.
An additional $300,000 grant through the Department of Health's Significant Facility Refurbishment redeveloped the facility's outdoor space, improving accessibility and incorporating a new central pavilion for residents to use in social and lifestyle activities.
Barrabill House also received $45,000 from the PSRACS Community Kitchen Garden Grants program, enabling residents to continue to engage in the familiar activity of gardening, that for many Victorians is a lifelong passion.
All these new and upgraded facilities have been designed with the needs of people living with dementia in mind and are already enriching the lives of all residents with the benefits they offer.
Barrabill House in Seymour is one of 171 PSRACS located across the state, offering Victorians an alternative to private aged care services.
Nearly $632 million has been invested in infrastructure improvements and specialist equipment for public sector aged care services in Victoria since 2014, including more than $443 million in rural and regional Victoria.
As stated by Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt
"It was wonderful to see the residents of Barrabill House 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
"It was great to be back at Barrabill House to see the completed upgraded facilities that I announced funding for back in 2018. Seymour Health is now caring for more residents in a home-like environment with more privacy and comfort."
