Kalgoorlie-Boulder will review aged care services thanks to advocacy campaign

A year-long campaign by a local seniors’ advocate has spurred the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Council to lobby the Federal Government on the aged care services it is able to provide.

David Oates has been pushing Kalgoorlie-Boulder to re-examine its aged care policy after last year’s transfer of the Council’s Meals On Wheels services to Not For Profit Amana Living, which he says has led to a drop in service quality.

“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 at a Council meeting, as reported by the Kalgoorlie Miner.

Councillor Amy Astill put forward a motion – unanimously passed – which will see Council gather community feedback, write to Ministers and the Department of Health and Aged Care, and compile a report on services it can offer seniors.

“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.