Innovative Aged Care for South Australians

The Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews, today officially opened a state-of-the-art aged care facility in Daw Park.

Mr Andrews said the addition of a new model into the aged care landscape, particularly a facility as innovative as ViTA, is cause for celebration.

“ViTA is a unique partnership between SA Health, Repatriation General Hospital at Daw Park, Flinders University and ACH Group, with significant funding from the Australian Government,” Mr Andrews said.

“ViTA will deliver great outcomes to older Australians and their families, offering 20 rehabilitation rooms, 40 transitional care rooms and 60 residential care rooms.

“It has been estimated that the services and support ViTA offers will enable 100 people to return home each year who would otherwise go into residential care.

“ViTA is much more than an aged care facility; it is an advanced place of learning with lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, simulation labs and online teaching for people in rural areas.

“More than 500 students are expected to join ViTA’s staff in a learning environment, across disciplines including nursing, allied health, hotel services, pharmacy and direct care.”

Federal Member for Boothby Andrew Southcott says aside from the benefits to older Australians, this new centre is set to boost the local economy.

“It has already created 2000 construction jobs and ACH Group expects to directly employ more than 160 staff,” he said.

“We are working to build an aged care system that offers choice and flexibility for consumers, with more support for people to stay independent in their own homes and communities, if they choose.”

Mr Andrews said ViTA’s services are consistent with the first phase of the Australian Government’s changes to aged care, which came into effect on 1 July.