Anglican Care project to take life thanks to funding

The funding injection, obtained by aged care provider Anglican Care for their new state-of-the-art facility in Gloucester, comes from the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) initiative of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities.

Anglican Care Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Colin Osbourne says the grant from the BBRF is an exciting outcome for the people of Gloucester and for Anglican Care.

“Gloucester is recognised as having one of the highest proportions of people over the age of 65 in NSW, with 28.4 percent compared to the state overage of 15.7 percent,” he says.

“The only residential aged care currently in the Gloucester area is delivered from relatively older buildings within Gloucester Hospital which do not facilitate the delivery of contemporary aged care services.

“This is a great outcome [because] since 2015 we have been working with Hunter New England Local Health District, the Council and Local Member to review aged care services in the Mid North Coast and this development will instil confidence in the community that they can remain in the area and live very comfortably in their retirement years.”

Anglican Care has planned the development in two stages with the first stage planned to construct a residential aged care home that will include single rooms with ensuites, a large multi-purpose area to facilitate resident and community activities, events and lifestyle programs.

It will also include three lounge areas, three dining rooms, a reception area, hairdresser, allied health and therapy room and administration.

The development is expected to have significant economic stimulus in the Gloucester region through the utilisation of local trades, resources and skills through the employment of health professions, tradespeople, administration staff, gardeners and entertainers.

Stage one of the project is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2019 and will take approximately 15 months to develop.

The second stage, which features retirement living villas and a community centre, is expected to follow the completion of stage one.