Percy Baxter lodges run below capacity
“Dated” aged care accommodation in North Geelong is running well below capacity, with the future of the facility up in the air.
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“Dated” aged care accommodation operated by Barwon Health is running well below capacity, with a proposal to rebuild a new facility before government.
Percy Baxter lodges, located at the McKellar Centre site in North Geelong, provide care to elderly people with low needs.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said ANMF had been made aware that amenities at Percy Baxter lodges, originally a low-care hostel, were dated and impacted by recent flooding.
“We understand that a refurbishment of the existing building may not be deemed to be a cost-effective use of taxpayer money,” she said.
“The 93-bed facility currently has only 15 residents.
“This low residency rate has created some uncertainty amongst our members about the longer-term future and we have sought confirmation from Barwon Health that the facility will not be closing.
“Barwon Health has confirmed to ANMF it has made a submission for state government funding to rebuild and expand this facility.”
Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby confirmed there were currently 15 residents living at Percy Baxter lodges.
“Some impacted residents were moved from water-damaged facilities in late January following a storm, which caused flash flooding in the surrounding area,” she said.
It’s believed some moved to other Barwon Health lodges while others relocated to different providers.
“Other residents chose to relocate to alternative providers and we have provided support and advice to them in order to facilitate this,” Ms Bibby said.
“Repair works are under way for the lodge that was damaged in the flood.”
It’s understood the lodges have not taken on new residents for some time.
Changes to the aged care industry appear to have more people using in-home care.
A state government spokeswoman said it was “working closely” with Barwon Health to understand the impacts of significant flooding to the site earlier this year.
“Impacted residents were moved from water-damaged facilities following the storm, which caused flash flooding in the surrounding area,” she said.
Barwon Health and the state government said they were dedicated to ensuring that all aged care residents received the accommodation and support they needed.
Ms Fitzpatrick said with almost 180 facilities, Victoria had the largest public residential aged care sector in the country.
“ANMF would like to see the Andrews government continue its work replacing and expanding residential aged care beds,” she said.
Originally published as Percy Baxter lodges run below capacity
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