Specialist Dementia Care Units

Overview

In 2016, the Australian Government announced it would establish Specialist Dementia Care Units (SDCUs) to support people who experience very severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The Government committed to establish at least one SDCU in each of the 31 Primary Health Network regions.

A detailed consultation paper has been prepared to seek stakeholder views on the policy design and implementation of SDCUs. The proposed arrangements in this paper have not been agreed by the Australian Government and may change, including in response to consultation feedback. 

The paper particularly seeks to:

• outline the rationale for establishing SDCUs
• summarise the current service environment in which SDCUs will operate, including current Australian Government and state and territory government supports for people with dementia
• elicit feedback on the proposed SDCU high-level model of care and funding and administrative options
• provide an overview of next steps and timeframes in implementing the SDCU initiative.

Why your views matter

Before making decisions on implementing SDCUs, we want to hear from interested stakeholders on what you believe is the best way forward.

Submissions received after 21 January 2018 may not be considered.

What happens next

Your feedback will inform advice to Government on the final shape of the SDCU initiative.

Once the preferred model of care and administrative arrangements are decided by Government, targeted consultation with stakeholders on detailed implementation and transition issues will be undertaken.

Future updates on the SDCU program will be published on the Department of Health website and communicated to the aged care sector via email. Please visit the Health website and subscribe to announcements to keep up to date.