Latest news with #DisabilityandAgeing
Sky News AU
12-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
More than 3000 Aussies to be hit as financially challenged aged care, disability services company Annecto collapses
More than 3000 Australians will need new homes or new carers as an aged care and disability services company has collapsed. Annecto is shuttering its doors from July after 70 years as financial challenges and shifts in the aged care and disability sectors have forced the company to close. 'As a result, it was identified that Annecto would be unable to continue providing services in the future,' the company states on its website. Aussies at Annecto locations across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the ACT will be helped by the company as they search for other care facilities. 'Our focus now is working together to transition the people we support and the services they receive to other trusted providers who can continue delivering the support they need and deserve,' Annecto said. The company is working with various government agencies to transition its patients – including the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Annecto said it remained committed to prioritising the welfare of its patients as they transition out of the company's homes. 'We are committed to the people we support and all Annecto staff during this time,' the company said. 'We are committed to compliance and ethical service delivery, ensuring our transition process aligns with customer, employee, and regulatory expectations.' Annecto chair Colleen Furlanetto thanked the company's founders and community for their contributions to the company. 'As we approach this next chapter, we do so with the same spirit that inspired Annecto's beginnings—ensuring that every person has access to the support they need, delivered with dignity and respect,' Ms Furlanetto said. The collapse comes after Labor passed its Aged Care Act which will change how different types of retirees in aged care are billed. The major change is the lifetime cap will rise from about $82,000 to about $130,000. Australia's aged care sector is not currently a profitable industry, but the changes in billing could lead to further investment into the growing sector as the ageing population grows.
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
‘Serious threat': Fresh Covid warnings as jab rates decline
Covid vaccination rates in Queensland are at their lowest since the jabs were introduced five years ago, with health professionals warning that the virus still poses a 'serious threat' to the community. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster this year, prompting urgent calls from doctors to people who have not yet been vaccinated to get the jab. The calls come as new data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing revealed that more than 15,000 Covid cases had been reported in Queensland since January, with almost 3000 people hospitalised with the virus. 'We have dropped the ball with Covid-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still very prevalent in the community and poses a serious threat to high-risk patients,' Mater director of infectious diseases Paul Griffin said. 'Particularly for high-risk people, it should now be a once-a-year booster, just like the flu vaccine is, and with winter here next week, now is the time to get vaccinated and it's safe to get them both together. 'There are hundreds of different strains of Omicron, and the new subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is driving up infections and hospitalisations, particularly in Asia and Western Australia. 'The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster which provides very good coverage, is safe, and will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you contract Covid-19.' Queensland health providers are dealing with high cases of both flu and RSV, in addition to Covid. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. Cases are up more than 30 per cent from the same time last year, but only a quarter of Queenslanders have been vaccinated. 'We are at our lowest levels of vaccination and protection in five years and with early rises in cases with winter approaching, the impact on our healthcare system could be significant, particularly with high levels of flu and RSV,' Professor Griffin said. The Covid and flu vaccines are free in Queensland and available at most pharmacies and GP clinics, and they are safe to receive at the same time In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year, with more than 1500 people hospitalised. 'More than half of these hospitalisations have been for the most vulnerable in our community, babies less than six months and people over 65,' Professor Griffin said. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation for babies in Australia, and Queensland recorded the highest number of deaths due to RSV last year. RSV vaccinations are free for pregnant women, with immunity then passed onto babies up until they are six months old.
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
‘Dropped the ball': Dire Covid warning
Covid vaccination rates in Queensland are at their lowest since the jabs were introduced five years ago, with health professionals warning that the virus still poses a 'serious threat' to the community. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster this year, prompting urgent calls from doctors to people who have not yet been vaccinated to get the jab. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia The calls come as new data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing revealed that more than 15,000 Covid cases had been reported in Queensland since January, with almost 3000 people hospitalised with the virus. 'We have dropped the ball with Covid-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still very prevalent in the community and poses a serious threat to high-risk patients,' Mater director of infectious diseases Paul Griffin said. 'Particularly for high-risk people, it should now be a once-a-year booster, just like the flu vaccine is, and with winter here next week, now is the time to get vaccinated and it's safe to get them both together. Australians have 'dropped the ball' when it comes to vaccination. NewsWire / Adam Yip Credit: News Corp Australia 'There are hundreds of different strains of Omicron, and the new subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is driving up infections and hospitalisations, particularly in Asia and Western Australia. 'The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster which provides very good coverage, is safe, and will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you contract Covid-19.' Queensland health providers are dealing with high cases of both flu and RSV, in addition to Covid. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. Cases are up more than 30 per cent from the same time last year, but only a quarter of Queenslanders have been vaccinated. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia 'We are at our lowest levels of vaccination and protection in five years and with early rises in cases with winter approaching, the impact on our healthcare system could be significant, particularly with high levels of flu and RSV,' Professor Griffin said. The Covid and flu vaccines are free in Queensland and available at most pharmacies and GP clinics, and they are safe to receive at the same time In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year, with more than 1500 people hospitalised. 'More than half of these hospitalisations have been for the most vulnerable in our community, babies less than six months and people over 65,' Professor Griffin said. In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation for babies in Australia, and Queensland recorded the highest number of deaths due to RSV last year. RSV vaccinations are free for pregnant women, with immunity then passed onto babies up until they are six months old.
