The construction of a respite patient care and training facility in Kings Meadows will not go ahead after the project failed to secure $2 million in federal funding.
The proposed respite and training facility, which was originally planned to be developed alongside a new administrative facility for Community Care Tasmania, would have seen more beds made available for respite care in the state's North while providing the resources needed to train additional carers.
CCT chief executive Wendy Mitchell said she was beyond disappointed after learning the federal government chose not to fund the project after securing $3 million in private capital and $1 million from the state government.
Ms Mitchell said CCT had approached the Commonwealth government to provide the remaining $2 million required to develop the centre as part of a federal infrastructure grant program.
She said the royal commission into age care highlighted the lack of nurses and support workers in the industry and highlighted the problems created when the aged, and people with disabilities don't have enough carers.
"The government was asking us for innovative ideas - and this was certainly one of those - and it could have been a role model that could have been rolled out right across Australia to fix a number of problems," she said.
Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer said she had been working closely with CCT on their proposal and was supportive of the proposal.
She said with a high number of submissions, there were many projects from across the state that did not receive funds.
Labor's candidate for Bass Ross Hart said funding the project was a no brainer.
"It deals with these significant issues with respect to the workforce, but it also addresses the issues with respect to people finding respite and training," he said.
"In my view, it ought to be funded. It's the proper role of government to provide support for institutions like this and government should be supporting it."
Ms Archer said she would continue to offer her support to CCT to identify potential funding opportunities.
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Andrew Chounding
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
