WA Govt boosts aged care transition capacity

The WA Government has increased the capacity of its Time to Think program, which provides short-term care for hospital patients waiting to access longer-term aged care.

The additional 59 beds are being delivered by Not For Profit Amana Living, and include:

• 24 beds at Lady McCusker Home in Duncraig, 16km north of the Perth CBD;
• 18 beds at Lefroy Care Centre in Bull Creek, 12km south of Perth;
• 10 beds at Thomas Scot Hostel in Camillo, 22km southeast of Perth; and
• Seven beds at Mosman Park Care Centre in Mosman Park, 14km southwest of Perth.

The increase takes the total number of beds in the program to 146 beds.

Time to Think is one of several strategies the Western Australian Government is employing to free up hospital beds occupied by older patients waiting for aged care services. The issue is impacting hospitals nation wide, with an estimated 3,300 patients waiting around the country.

Despite the WA Government’s additional investment, more than 300 patients remain stranded in the state’s public hospitals waiting for aged care.

Time to Think is delivered through a partnership between the WA Government, the Commonwealth, and aged care providers, including Capecare and Hall & Prior as well as Amana Living. Under the program, participants receive equivalent care to permanent aged care residents, as well as tailored support to research and secure long-term aged care.

Commenced in May 2025, Time to Think has provided care for more than 450 patients, freeing up over 14,000 hospital bed days, and helping older patients be discharged from hospital sooner.

“By working closely with aged care providers and the Commonwealth, we are strengthening aged care pathways and tailored support for older Western Australians,” said WA Aged Care and Seniors Minister Simone McGurk.

“This expansion means even more older Western Australians and their families can benefit from the time, space, and assistance they need to make informed decisions about their future care.”

In February, the WA Government also invested an additional $24.2 million in Time to Think through its Winter Strategy, aimed at supporting residents through the cooler months after ambulance ramping rose to record levels last winter.