AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ISSUED BY AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH

AMENDMENTS OF THE HEALTH COMMISSION (CHARGES) REGULATIONS

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

No. 23 of 1979

	The Minister of State for Health has made Regulations under the Health Commission Ordinance 1975 which amend the Health Commission (Charges) Regulations.

	The amending Regulations increase accommodation charges at Capital Territory Health Commission nursing homes and mental health hostels.

	Nursing home charges have been increased as a consequence of the increase in the single pension rate from 8 November 1979 of $4.70 a week and the increase of $1.65 a day in nursing home benefits under the National Health Act 1953 also from that date.

	Pensioner patients are able to retain $7.95 a week from their pension entitlement, an increase of 70 cents a week.

	The charge for persons over 16 years of age accommodated in mental health hostels has been increased from $4.96 a day to $5.99 a day which is an amount equal to two thirds of the invalid pension rate as at 8 November 1979.

	The Regulations come into operation on 8 November 1979.