Project Background
In Australia the majority of aged care facilities are operated by the non-government sector, predominantly with funds from the Commonwealth Government. Although aged care is a Commonwealth responsibility, the State of NSW still runs a small number of residential aged care services.
The State Nursing Home Transfer Project was driven by two important principles. First, to identify providers that are best placed to deliver residential aged care services. Second, to ensure State health resources are directed to the health services that predominantly are a State responsibility.
In November 2008, the NSW Government announced the intention to transfer the remaining State nursing homes to the non government sector whilst maintaining continuity of care for residents. These State Nursing Homes include:
- Queen Victoria Memorial Homes in Picton
- Governor Philip Nursing Home in Penrith
- Garrawarra Centre in Waterfall
- Lottie Stewart Hospital Aged Care Services in Dundas
- Wallsend Aged Care Facility
- Murrumburrah-Harden Aged Care Facility
- Hillcrest Nursing Home in Gloucester
- Kimbarra Lodge in Gloucester
- Muswellbrook Aged Care Facility
- Leeton Aged Care Facility
- Holbrook Aged Care Facility
- Corowa Aged Care Facility
In addition, the aged care places operated by the state government at Lottie Stewart Nursing Home are proposed to be transferred to the non government sector. The land and facility are owned by Wesley Mission.
The NSW Government gave an undertaking that proposals for the transfer of State nursing homes to the non-government sector would only be accepted if aged care operators proved they could deliver quality care for residents and positive outcomes for the health system.
In December 2009, the Minister for Health announced that the Wallsend Aged Care Facility and the Murrumburrah-Harden Aged Care Facility would not be transferred to the non-government sector and would continue to be operated by their respective Area Health Services.