THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INTENDS TO CLOSE THE MAYNE STREET DAY CENTRE …
… A SPECIALISED RESPITE CENTRE FOR SENIORS WITH DEMENTIA IN LAUNCESTON
HACSU has correspondence from the Acting CEO of Tasmanian Health Organisation – North outlining a number of proposed cuts to Primary Health services in the North. Amid the long list of service and staffing cuts, the Mayne Street Day Centre (MSDC) stands out as a major victim of ‘efficiencies’.
The MSDC has historically been funded by the State Government, and this year marks their 30th anniversary. Primary Health North has recommended “…that the Tasmanian Health Organisation North ceases funding of this service and transition the clients into alternative services.”
“The biggest problem with this proposal is that there are no alternative services for the clients and families who depend on Mayne Street’s services,” said HACSU Assistant Secretary Robbie Moore.
“The Federal Government has no intentions of funding Mayne Street if the State Government dumps them, so this is a heartless act.
“The Mayne Street Day Centre is unique in Northern Tasmania, as it provides respite care to seniors with dementia, in a home based environment which is considered best-practice in dementia care.
“The centre employs skilled staff who provide targeted services and activities to counteract the social isolation that dementia causes.
“This centre also give caregivers – the quiet heroes of dementia care – a much-needed break, and enables them to keep their loved ones at home.”
“This is a cruel and cowardly act of the Hodgman government. There is nowhere else for these people to go.
“The state Government tried something similar to this last October, when they planned to shut down three adult day centres on the North West Coast. In the face of community outrage they backed down.
“We call upon the Government to show some heart, and some common sense.
“This centre ensures that dementia sufferers can remain in their homes – which is much cheaper than putting people into aged care.
“We call upon the Government to abandon their plan to push elderly people with dementia out of sight and out of mind.”
Robbie Moore, HACSU Assistant State Secretary
