Research into issues affecting older Australians has taken another step forward with the new national academic centre at Frankston Hospital – which will house the National Centre for Healthy Ageing – opening its doors today.
Through a partnership between the Government, Peninsula Health and Monash University, the academic centre will work towards transforming health service development, implementation, research and evaluation for older people, as well as those with addiction and mental health issues.
One of the key research points of the Centre will be to explore new and innovative ways to harness technology and data to help senior Australians remain independent.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Centre will deliver better ways to care for elderly Australians, with successful models then able to be rolled out nationally.
“The Frankston and Mornington Peninsula has one of the fastest ageing populations in the country,” Minister Hunt said. “It is an ideal place to explore innovative health care solutions for older people, whether it be at home or in residential aged care.”
“Our Government is pleased to partner with Monash University and Peninsula Health to make the project a reality.”
“By delivering sustainable, evidence-based, efficient models of care, it will support people with increasingly complex health conditions to live their best lives.”
The Morrison Government invested $32 million in the healthy ageing component of the Centre, delivered through the $1.25 billion Community Health and Hospitals Program.
Supported by state-of-the-art ‘living labs’ for research activities and the latest technology, the new centre will help deliver the Government’s commitment to ensuring all Australians can access quality health care, when and where they need it.
Investing in health and medical research is a key pillar of the Morrison Government’s Long Term National Health Plan. Over the next four years, we will invest more than $6.6 billion in lifesaving health and medical research.