Ozcare to take over St Vincent’s Aged Care Townsville facility from February

A Townsville aged care facility’s residents and staff have been assured that they wouldn’t be negatively affected by an upcoming change in ownership and operations. See who’s taking over.

Leighton Smith

@LeightonESmith

2 min read

December 5, 2024 - 9:20AM

Townsville Bulletin

St Vincent’s Lincoln Hopper and Ozcare's Tony Godfrey have discussed the change in ownership of St Vincent’s Aged Care Townsville facility. Picture: Supplied.

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Staff and residents based in St Vincent’s Aged Care Townsville facility have been assured that they won’t be negatively affected by an upcoming change in ownership and operations from St Vincent’s Care to Ozcare.

Opened at 291 Angus Smith Drive in 2019, St Vincent’s Care Douglas is a 140-bed facility.

The facility is owned and operated by St Vincent’s, Australia’s largest not-for-profit provider of health and aged care services.

St Vincent’s recently undertook a comprehensive competitive process to find a local provider with extensive regional connections that could offer the same high level of quality care.

It finally settled on “best choice” Ozcare, with the transition due to complete by February 3, 2025.

St Vincent’s Aged Care Townsville facility residents enjoy a Christmas concert on Wednesday featuring local community musicians who regularly play concerts at aged care facilities. Picture: Supplied.

Ozcare confirmed it would retain all Douglas facility staff on terms no less favourable than current terms and residents retained their current rooms, while services provided at the facility would be maintained with minimal interruptions during the transition, ensuring stability and continuity for residents and employees alike.

A joint plan will be implemented to ensure residents, families, and staff are fully supported, with regular updates, and dedicated teams from both organisations available on-site to address questions or concerns.

St Vincent’s Care chief executive Lincoln Hopper pointed to geographic isolation as a reason behind their difficult decision to leave the Townsville community, where there was almost 1,200km between their Douglas site and the next nearest St Vincent’s service.

Given Ozcare’s strong presence in Townsville and regional Queensland, he said it was well-placed to meet the needs of their residents and continue St Vincent’s proud legacy.

View from the St Vincent’s Aged Care Townsville facility. Picture: Supplied.

“Like St Vincent’s, Ozcare is a purpose-driven, not-for-profit, health and aged care service provider, with similar values. Importantly, it has a focus in regional Queensland – including aged care services already in Townsville,” Mr Hopper said.

“St Vincent’s has been thoroughly impressed with the care and consideration Ozcare has displayed during this process to ensure that our staff and residents feel welcomed.”

Interior of St Vincent’s Aged Care Townsville. Picture: Supplied.

Established by the St Vincent de Paul Society in 1996, Ozcare has grown to have 50 locations, more than 4300 staff and 130 volunteers, who improve their clients’ quality of life by delivering personalised health and human services.

Ozcare chief executive Tony Godfrey was honoured to welcome the residents, families, and staff of St Vincent’s Care Douglas into the Ozcare family, saying their mission has always been to provide compassionate, high-quality care.

Ozcare chief executive Tony Godfrey. Picture: Supplied.

“We look forward to continuing this tradition at Douglas. Ozcare … (has) several aged care facilities in Townsville and the surrounding region,” Mr Godfrey said.

“Our strong presence in Townsville and regional Queensland ensures we are well-positioned to maintain and enhance the exceptional care that’s been provided by St Vincent’s Care at Douglas.”

For more information, visit: www.svcs.org.au