Source: National Alliance of Young People In Nursing Homes

"...The National Alliance of Young People In Nursing Homes sent out the following media release to coincide with today's COAG meeting between the Prime Ministers and the State Premiers.

It calls for a dedicated YPINH Taskforce, jointly owned and funded by Commonwealth and States, to develop the pathways out of aged care that young people and their families want..."

MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGO: 5 AM (MELBOURNE TIME) 03/06/2005

YPINH & COAG...on the agenda at last!

More than 6,300 young Australians living in aged care facilities will finally have their voices heard at the COAG meeting between the State Premiers and the Prime Minister today, June 3.

"This is a red letter day for young people in nursing homes everywhere," said National Alliance head, Dr Bronwyn Morkham. "Both governments have at last realised that they need to work together to fix this problem, and the COAG meeting is the place to start!"

"With a young Australian entering an aged care facility every day of the week, the need has never been greater for both governments to work together on the pathways out of aged care that young people and their families want," Dr Morkham stressed.

"The transformation in my mother's life has been nothing short of miraculous," said Alliance member, Carla Edridge. "She has her life back and is looking forward to doing normal things like sleeping in and catching up with her friends."

The National Alliance has developed a Blueprint for Change that calls for a jointly owned and funded YPINH Taskforce to bring young Australians out of nursing homes and back to their families.

"We want the Prime Minister and every Premier at the COAG Meeting to work from this Blueprint and give young people with acquired disabilities a future worth having," said Dr Morkham. "A jointly owned and funded YPINH Taskforce is the first step to giving these young people their lives back."

Media Advisory
Dr Bronwyn Morkham and YPINH Alliance Member, Carla Edridge, will be available for interview.

Karla will speak about the transformation in her mother's life since leaving an aged care facility to live in the community.

For comment:         Bronwyn Morkham               0437 178 078
                                    Karla Edridge                         0409 253 482