Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Ministers statements: aged care

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:29): I rise to take a moment to acknowledge our aged care workforce across the state. Last Wednesday was national Aged Care Employee Day, a time to acknowledge the contribution aged care workers make to improving the lives of older Victorians living in residential aged care across the state. The aged care workforce is the backbone of our aged care system and critical to the delivery of dignified and person-centred care. The Allan Labor government recognises that everyone deserves to age with dignity and respect, and the highly skilled care delivered by the nurses and carers is really vital in achieving this.

I want to particularly acknowledge those working in our public sector residential aged care services. When you visit any of our PSRACS across the state it feels like you have been invited into people’s homes. Over the last few months I have had the opportunity to visit many of these facilities and meet the nurses, care workers and administrative staff who staff these facilities, and I am continually impressed by the deep commitment of the staff to the dignity of the residents and their right to age well and the exceptional care that is given. I thank our PSRACS staff for the work they do each and every day to provide high-quality care to older Victorians living in our public facilities. And to all those working in aged care across Victoria: thank you for your highly skilled care and your dedication to older Victorians.