ANMF Commends Funding for Stroke Care and Active Ageing Projects

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has commended the Federal Government announcements of funding for stroke care and active ageing projects.

The Government has committed funding of $50 million to fund 70 stroke care coordinators operating out of 61 Medicare Locals throughout the country, and will invest $20 million in active ageing projects aimed at supporting the independence and healthy lifestyles of older members of the community.

“Stroke continues to be the second most common cause of all deaths in Australia, with around 1000 cases of stroke every week,” ANMF Federal Secretary, Lee Thomas, said today.

“Stroke coordinators carry out a vital service in developing and implementing individual care plans for stroke victims as they transition from hospital back to home, assisting in their overall recovery in the long term.”

The ANMF also said the timing was right for investing in the health and well-being of older Australians through community-based projects.

“Encouraging seniors to participate in exercise and recreation underpins a healthy, active and independent lifestyle and importantly, also allows older people to stay connected with the wider community,” Ms Thomas said.

The ANMF has also commended the Federal Government for $346 million in funding for hospitals and medical facilities across the country, including $100 million for the redevelopment of Westmead Hospital; $10 million for the Children’s Medical Research Institute at Westmead; a Medicare license for a MRI machine at Mt Druitt Hospital; $15 million for a cancer clinic at Flinders Medical centre in South Australia and $10 million for critical cancer treatment at several hospitals in Brisbane.

“We have been calling on all sides of politics to make health and aged care key priorities for the election,” Ms Thomas said.

“As Australia faces the challenges of a rapidly ageing population, there has to be greater investment in health infrastructure, services and importantly, the workforce, to meet the growing demands for health and aged care services now and into the future.”