Catholic Healthcare to continue aged care for St Vincent de Paul Society

Mr John O’Neill, President of St Vincent de Paul Society Trustees Council NSW/ACT and Mr Michael Rowan, Chairman of Catholic Healthcare, announced today, that Catholic Healthcare Limited has accepted responsibility for the continuation of the aged care ministry of the St Vincent de Paul Society (Society).

This announcement means that Catholic Healthcare will own and manage the Society’s 19 residential aged and special care services and any co-located independent living units (except Frederic House at Waterloo and Village Court Units at Lewisham). These services provide care for over 900 residents. The transfer will take effect from May 2007. The names of each service may change in due course.

The decision by the Society follows a review of services by the Trustees Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW/ACT. The Society has decided to focus on its core activity of caring for the most marginalised in the community, in particular its homeless services with the launch of Matthew Talbot Homeless Services last year.

Mr O’Neill said, “This move back to our core mission will enable us to redirect our focus into areas of greatest need including people who are homeless, the disabled and people living with a mental illness.

“The continuity of care and spiritual well-being of our residents is an important priority for the Society. With Catholic Healthcare’s proven capability and outstanding track record in caring for the frail and elderly, we know that the excellent care of our residents will continue.”

Catholic Healthcare is the largest Catholic provider of residential and community aged care services in Australia. The organisation currently operates 19 residential aged care communities, six seniors living communities, runs three district hospitals and provides community care services to more than 2,000 people in their homes.

Catholic Healthcare Managing Director, Mr Chris Rigby said, “We are delighted to accept responsibility for the stewardship of the Society’s aged and special care services.

“We have a 12 year history of accepting responsibility for continuing the health and aged care ministries of religious congregations, dioceses, archdioceses, parishes and community groups. We look forward to welcoming and embracing the aged and special care services of the Society into the Catholic Healthcare community.”

The transfer from the Society to Catholic Healthcare will have no impact on the current delivery of care to residents and all employees will be offered continued employment.

Chief Executive Officer of St Vincent de Paul Society Aged and Special Care Services Ltd, Wendy Jeskie will remain in her leadership role for these aged and special care services.

Mr Rowan congratulated the executive of both organisations for the diligence and spirit with which the details of the transfer of the ministry were agreed. “The opportunity to continue these good works reflects the founding purpose of Catholic Healthcare and affirms the wisdom of those who had the courage to set up the organisation some 13 years ago.”

Concluding Mr O’Neill said, “I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute and give thanks to the many conferences, members, volunteers and friends who helped create and build these Special Aged Care Works. I am confident that Catholic Healthcare will continue to carry forward your founding commitment for delivering quality care to our residents.”