Anam Cara House Geelong to be taken over by Barwon Health
As part of a major shake-up of end-of-life care in the region, Barwon Health will take control of an almost brand new purpose-built facility, relocating its existing services in the process.
Private palliative care service Anam Cara House is to be taken over by Barwon Health and its 12 beds made available to patients in the public system.
While the inner-workings of the plan are yet to be finalised, Barwon Health will relocate both its inpatient and community-based palliative care services from the McKellar Centre on Ballarat Rd to ACH’s $22m purpose built facility, located on the grounds of Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.
Barwon Health has established a working group to guide the transition and the relocation is expected to begin in early 2026.
Staff of both organisations were informed of the changes on Wednesday afternoon.
ACH was established in 2007 as a “community-owned” private offering to support people with life-limiting illnesses.
It moved from its four-bed Myers St facility to its $22m Deakin home in late 2023.
A significant portion of its funding has come via philanthropic donations, and only those with private health insurance or the means to pay for the service have been able to access the service.
ACH unsuccessfully applied last year for state government funding of approximately $2m annually.
Well known business identity Bob Gartland is listed on ACH’s website as founding patron, while fellow businessman Barry Fagg is one of three ambassadors, alongside Jennifer Cromarty and Theresa Best.
Board chair Diana Taylor said the Anam Cara House name would remain, as would recognition of past donors, while existing staff would be able to apply for jobs with Barwon Health.
“The ethos of Anam Cara House has always been the opportunity for all community members, regardless of circumstances, to access the exceptional care and experience offered by the staff and volunteers in the facility,” she said.
“Anam Cara will always be a symbol of the courage, dedication and love of the Geelong community for each other.”
Barwon Health chair Lisa Neville described the Deakin facility as “exceptional”.
“We recognise and thank the Anam Cara community for their tireless support and advocacy for the needs of patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses,” she said.
Deakin Vice Chancellor Iain Martin said the plan would “ensure the vision to deliver outstanding palliative and end-of-life care at this incredible location continues”.
“We are grateful for all those whose passion and commitment have made Anam Cara House possible, and Deakin University looks forward to playing our part in this legacy,” he said.
Ms Taylor lobbied both major parties ahead of this year’s federal election for funding that would allow ACH to deliver on its original plan of 20 palliative care bedrooms.
Those efforts came after the organisation relinquished almost $1m it was granted in 2021 via the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund because it was unable to match the funds before the agreement expired.
Ms Taylor said at the time that costs associated with establishing the Deakin base had soaked up funds and it needed more time to come up with the cash.
But having already been granted a 12-month extension to the end of 2024, ACH was told a further extension was not possible.
“Without the funding, Anam Cara is not going be able to fit out those eight bedrooms,” Ms Taylor said in March.
Originally published as Anam Cara House Geelong to be taken over by Barwon Health
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