Home care service in SA set to take on new life
One of South Australia’s (SA’s) largest providers of home-based care for older Australians, Domiciliary Care, is set to be moved from a Government to non-Government provider following a competitive tender application in 2017.
Domiciliary Care is set to become part of RDNS in South Australia as of 30 June 2018 (Source: Shutterstock)
The transfer to non-Government provider was announced last year in response to Commonwealth aged care reforms and in recognition of the growing need in SA for in home support for older people.
Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) SA, part of the Silver Chain Group, were successful in their application and will take on all Domiciliary Care clients and services from 30 June 2018, with the promise of providing current Domiciliary Care clients with the services they need and rely on, with many delivered by the same staff they see now.
RDNS SA Transition Director Bronwyn Masters says the organisation is “elated” to have been selected by the SA Government as the future provider.
“We have a proud history of caring for South Australians of all ages in their homes and with the addition of Domiciliary Care services, we will provide a wider and more integrated health and aged care service to over 8,000 South Australians each week,” she says.
“Our top priority is providing clients with safe, high quality health and home care that meets their needs, now and into the future.
“Whether they need a little help or a lot, this is about partnering with clients, their carers and families to provide a truly integrated model of care that remains affordable and supports them to live at home for longer.”
Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Human Services, Lois Boswell, says the Department and Domiciliary Care had a “proud legacy” of serving the South Australian community.
“Continuity for Domiciliary Care clients and achieving the best possible outcomes for our dedicated staff have been the top priorities of the transition to RDNS SA,” Ms Boswell says.
“I am thrilled that we’ve been able to bring together these two well-respected organisations.
“As a result, three quarters of our staff have chosen to transfer to RDNS SA to ensure the services and supports for our clients continue, and grow.
“The Department is excited that RDNS SA – an organisation with more than 120 years’ history in our state – will continue to provide the high-quality services of Domiciliary Care in the future.”
A hotline (1800 897 447) has been set up to answer any queries clients and the public may have about the transfer of Domiciliary Care services to RDNS SA.
