Aged care, disability services provider Annecto Incorporated announces closure after 70 years
More than 3000 people with disabilities, seniors and others with high care needs – along with more than 1000 staff – have been left high and dry after a long-term care company announced its closure.
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More than 3000 people with disabilities, seniors and others with high care needs – along with more than 1000 staff – have been left high and dry after a long-term care company announced its closure.
Annecto Incorporated is based at Footscray in Melbourne and has operated community services for more than 70 years.
It had offices on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland; at Mawson in the ACT; as well as Sydney, Dubbo and Kempsey in NSW. It also had 14 locations throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria.
It announced late on Wednesday that its services would cease from July 1 after “careful deliberation” amid “financial challenges facing the organisation into the future”.
Some clients only learned the closure after the media release was shared to NDIS-related Facebook groups.
“As an Annecto client, I am disappointed finding this out as a media release rather than contacting clients to let us know that they are closing,” one commented.
“To be honest this is absolutely devastating,” said another.
“Have known people supported by Annecto over the years and absolutely feel for them!
“Hope they and all the clients can find other support companies as this is a massive blow.”
According to now-archived pages of its website, Annecto receives funding from the Australian, Victorian and New South Wales governments.
Documents lodges with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission show the Annecto Group made $85.9m revenue for net income of $1.26m last financial year.
In an audit of its quality performance, performed in September last year, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission found Annecto had not compluied with four different standards for home care.
The audit report found Annecto had inadequate risk management, assessment, care planning, and clinical oversight and had only recently began to make siginificant improvements.
Annecto chairwoman Colleen Furanetto said the “decision was not made lightly”.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our community over all these years, and the dedication of our staff and partners to high quality of support standards,” she said.
“We are working closely with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the National Disability Insurance Agency, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and other key stakeholders to ensure the seamless transition of our customers and staff to trusted and quality accredited
providers.
“Annecto remains committed to our customers and staff during this time.”
Ms Furlanetto said the company was committed to “ensuring our transition process aligns with customer, employee and regulatory expectations and prioritises customer welfare, particularly those with high support needs”.
Do you know more about this story? Email: kathleen.skene@news.com.au
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Originally published as Aged care, disability services provider Annecto Incorporated announces closure after 70 years
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