The state government has completed a $3.17 million refurbishment and expansion of Barrabill House Public Sector Residential Aged Care Service (PSRACS) in Seymour, 100km north of Melbourne, expanding the facility's capacity by 10 beds and adding new facilities.
Minister for Ageing, Ingrid Stitt, and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes unveiled the upgrade, which included, as well as the 10 new single rooms with ensuites, a refurbished kitchen and dining and lounge areas, creating a more home-like environment for residents.
The expansion has increased the capacity of Barrabill House to 40 residents, meaning more older Victorians in the Goulburn Valley can now benefit from care closer to home.
The expansion of Barrabill House was made possible through the Victorian Government’s $350 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. An additional $300,000 grant through the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Significant Facility Refurbishment allowed for the redevelopment of the facility’s outdoor space. And Barrabill House also received $45,000 from the PSRACS Community Kitchen Garden Grants program, enabling residents to continue to engage in the familiar activity of gardening.
The Victorian Government has invested nearly $632 million public sector aged care services in Victoria since 2014, including more than $443 million in rural and regional Victoria.
“We’re modernising and upgrading infrastructure at our public residential aged care services right across Victoria, giving older Victorians the facilities and care they deserve," said Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas.
By contrast, the NSW Government only offers residential aged care through its 70 Multi-Purpose Services.
