Wednesday, 13 May 2026

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Government Services, Special Minister of State, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria) (12:32): I rise to update the house on a recent visit I made to Grampians Health’s Talbot Place public sector residential aged care home in Ballarat, where I saw firsthand the incredible work staff are doing to care for our older Victorians close to where they live. Victoria’s public aged care services play a critical role in regional communities, supporting older Victorians with complex needs and helping patients leave hospital safely. This year’s budget continues the Allan Labor government’s strong investment in services for older Victorians. We are investing $17 million to expand residential inreach services, delivering more care directly into aged care homes and reducing avoidable hospital transfers. This means older Victorians can receive more treatment and support in familiar surroundings while easing pressure on our ambulance services, emergency departments and hospitals.

In 2025–26 Grampians Health is on track to deliver more than a thousand residential inreach episodes of care to over 550 aged care residents. More than 96 per cent of residents who received residential inreach care avoided hospitalisation and instead received treatment in a familiar environment. Grampians Health also deliver the statewide Victorian aids and equipment program, which is receiving a $5 million boost in this year’s budget to help meet the growing demand. The program supports Victorians with permanent or long-term disability to remain safe and independent at home through access to subsidised aids and equipment. Last year alone, nearly 23,000 Victorians received support through this program, with around 75 per cent aged over 65. I would like to thank the staff at Grampians Health for the care and compassion they show older Victorians every day. Our government will continue backing regional communities and investing in high-quality care close to home.