CONSTRUCTION of a new aged care facility for Gloucester is expected to begin late next year despite the project failing to receive financial support from the federal government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nambucca Valley Care has already submitted plans to build 17 residential self-contained age units for Gloucester and is expected to put forward a proposal to council for the $14 million aged care facility as early as March.
Chief executive of Nambucca Valley Care John Butler said missing out on federal funding for the project had been a blow, but would not prevent the project from going ahead.
“It’s a damn nuisance but we’re pushing ahead with it regardless,” he said.
“There is very little government money available and this time it happened to go to projects in less populated States.”
Mr Butler said Nambucca Valley Care would not be able to apply for any future Commonwealth support for the project as the grant criteria did not permit companies to seek funding once construction had started.
Lyne MP David Gillespie said he would continue to support Nambucca Valley Care’s proposal despite the project missing out on federal support.
“I have had discussions about future plans to significantly improve and expand aged care services in Gloucester and good progress is continuing to be made,” he said.
“There are a number of hurdles which need to be addressed at the State level and I look forward to further progress of the proposal currently being pursued by Nambucca Valley Care.
“This process has a little way to go, but I look forward to further development over the next 12 months.”
Mr Butler said one of those hurdles was securing the licences for the 60 aged care beds currently owned by Hunter New England Local Health District at Hillcrest, Narraweema and Kimbarra Lodge aged care facilities.
Hunter New England (HNE) Health has started a request for a detailed proposals process which will fast-track the transfer of the licences.
“In the past couple of years the township has experienced increasing interest from non-government aged care providers investigating options to provide services in Gloucester. The time is right to revisit plans to strengthen aged care services in Gloucester for the future,” HNE Health director of District Hospitals and Community Networks Susan Heyman said.
Gloucester Hospital Health Service Manager Paul Townsend met with aged care staff and residents and their families last month to discuss the plan.
“This request process is just the first step in pursuing a new, purpose-built aged care facility for the town,” Mr Townsend said.
“In the short term there will be no change to aged care services. HNE Health will continue to provide aged care in Gloucester as normal until a new, purpose-built facility is ready to accept residents.
“I’d like to reassure the community that, given the great deal of work that needs to be done to enable a new aged care facility to be opened in Gloucester, any changes will be made gradually.
Staff have also been reassured that there would be no changes to their employment in the short term.
Long-term, once an aged care facility was built, options would be discussed with staff including the opportunity to transfer their employment and their current entitlements to the new, non-government provider or to continue working with HNE Health in a new role.
Mr Butler said Nambucca Valley Care was committed to ensuring the Gloucester project was a success.
“It’s a nice fit for us. Gloucester is a region very similar to the Nambucca valley,” he said.