PUBLIC-sector residential aged care services in northern Victoria will receive $987,400 in State Government funding, as part of a statewide $6 million boost. Jaclyn Symes (MLC. Northern Victoria) confirmed the funding on Wednesday saying it will improve facilities and quality of care for elderly residents. Ms Symes said more than $4 million of the statewide funding boost will go to vital refurbishments so public sector aged care facilities can meet modern, contemporary standards and provide better and safer living conditions for residents. To help provide the highest quality care, $970,000 will be delivered to buy specialised medical equipment such as electronic beds, pressure-relieving mattresses, electronic shower chairs, mobility aids, lifting equipment, and diagnostic and treatment equipment, she said. A $301,000 funding boost will see more than 250 nurses working in rural public aged care facilities receive training in the comprehensive health assessment of older people, while another $639,400 is earmarked to strengthen business operations ensuring services are sustainable into the future. Northeast Health Wangaratta will receive $14,300 for aged care nurse training and new specialist equipment. Those to gain most in the funding boost across the North East are: Beechworth Health Service to receive $400,000 for conversion of 12 shared suites to create 24 single and private ensuites, ensuring 52 of 60 residents will have access to private facilities; Yarrawonga Health to get $260,000 for refurbishment of its Allawah facility to improve the l home like; environment in the dementia friendly unit, with eight resident rooms refurbished with separate ensuites; and Alpine Health getting $24,300 for aged care nursing training and new specialist equipment.