The Finocchiaro CLP Government has welcomed the Commonwealth's long-awaited move to open expressions of interest for a new 120 bed NT residential aged care facility - and is calling for the process to be completed quickly, so construction can begin as soon as possible.
Minister for Health Steve Edgington said it was good to see federal Labor finally deliver on its promise but urged them to ensure an efficient and speedy EOI process.
"The Commonwealth has set a three year construction deadline, but we will be advocating for it to be built as soon as possible.
"The CLP wants the EOI completed so construction can start - we have offered land near Palmerston Regional Hospital so let's get on with the job," Mr Edgington said.
"Every day, up to 80 hospital beds are filled by patients who should be in aged care, costing Territory taxpayers $40 million a year.
"Getting this new aged care facility up and running will crucially ease pressures at Royal Darwin Hospital.
"Up to 80 aged care patients are stuck in hospital beds because there simply aren't any aged care places available. This 'bed block' ripples through the system, causing longer waits in our emergency departments and putting pressure on care for everyone."
"The Finocchiaro CLP Government has boosted base health funding and expanded hospital capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital to ease bed shortages and improve patient care.
"We need the Commonwealth to not only get cracking on this aged care EOI but properly fund the Territory's hospitals - right now, we're getting the lowest contribution of any jurisdiction under the federal funding agreement and around $200 million short every year of our fair share.
"On top of that, NT Health also covers around another $200 million annually for services Canberra is meant to fund - from aged care to remote primary health and Top End aeromedical retrievals."
"Together, the NT is short-changed by roughly $400 million every year. Territorians deserve better from Canberra with fair, ongoing health funding," Mr Edgington said.
