Federal aged-care boost

Rockingham General Hospital is set to receive 24 new beds as part of the Federal Government’s national healthcare reform.

The new beds include 14 for geriatric evaluation and rehabilitation, and 10 for elderly mental health patients.

Patient Thelma Lenson chats with Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon and Brand MLA Gary Gray. PICTURE: GABRIELLE JEFFERY

There will also be 14 places within a new mental health team for the elderly based at the hospital.

The new beds and services are possible due to the hospital being granted $2.7 million each year for the next three years.

Outlining the improvements in Rockingham, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said it was exactly the sort of care the area needed.

‘‘Patients can now do their rehabilitation here, without having to go to Perth — it enables them to be closer to their families and homes,’’ she said.

She said she was pleased to return to Rockingham after making previous announcements on completion of works on operating theatres and a GP Super Clinic.

‘‘It’s nice to announce things at a place with projects that have already been implemented successfully,’’she said.

Rockingham General Hospital director of clinical services Geoff Williamson said the programs had been implemented seamlessly.

‘‘We also have two new registrar training positions filled, one in geriatrics and one in general surgery, through the Federal Government’s specialist training program,’’ he said.

Ms Roxon said the funding for the programs had been made possible due to the State Government joining the Federal Government’s national healthcare reform in February.