The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, in WA’s Goldfields region, will ask the Federal Government to review the aged care services it can provide following a year-long campaign by a local seniors’ advocate.
The effort by David Oates, who opposed last year’s transfer of Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services to Not For Profit Amana Living, resulted in the measure being passed at the Council meeting on Monday July 25, the Kalgoorlie Miner reported.
David told Council that Meals on Wheels services had deteriorated since the handover last year, and he wanted a solution that valued older residents and their rights to adequate nutrition.
“Currently this service has deteriorated from a successful City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder operation to a once a week, frozen packaged meal dropped-off service without a point of communication beyond delivery. Frozen packaged meals transported from Perth have been tried and proven to be an abject failure.
“I am fully aware it is outside the council and community’s control; however, I believe it is appropriate that the Health Department is made aware of the issues that currently exist,” he said.
The motion brought by Councillor Amy Astill (pictured), which was unanimously passed, will see Council seek community feedback from seniors, contact ministers and the Department of Health and Aged Care, and have a report compiled on the services it can offer older residents.
Cr Astill said that the move is part of Council’s commitment to serve the local community, and praised David for his advocacy.
“It’s so good to see that we have so many passionate people in our community who are not afraid to stand up and speak out about things that are affecting them and policy changes that might be affecting them.
“It’s really great to see someone who is such a big advocate for improving services and ensuring that people in our community get what they need and deserve,” she said.
