This week we report on more residential and home care operators literally handing over the keys to leave the sector, while large operators like Catholic Healthcare in NSW report a $56M loss in FY22, up from $43M loss in FY21.
At the same time, a Senate committee was informed that 22% of aged care homes are spending $10 or less per day on food, while an HSU workforce survey reports 75% of aged care workers will leave the sector if they don’t get the full 25% wage increase (remember, only frontline staff will receive the 15% at some time in the future).
These are challenging times, and arguably far worse than five years ago next week when the Royal Commission sent out its questionnaire to the top 100 operators to name all their indiscretions back to 2013.
Large-scale consolidation is increasingly inevitable, but not necessarily led by the biggest operators.
This Saturday, check out our cover article in SATURDAY Magazine on the work of Jason Binder and his team at Respect Aged Care, based in small-town Tasmania. They are mopping up and turning around RAC operators. If you are not a subscriber, register HERE.
Image: Edmiston Jones Architects
By Chris Baynes
Outside consultants advising councils to walk away from home and residential care
It feels like everybody is walking away from home and residential aged care services. This week Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale (VIC) handed over the keys to their 1985 Edith Bendall Lodge (60 aged care beds and 14 independent living units) to Not For Profit Mayflower Group, and Bendigo Council decided to end decades of home support and walk away from 1,800 clients on CHSP, effective next June.
Federal Government caps home care management fees, bans home care exit fees
The Federal Government has moved ahead with its plan to cap administration and management fees for Home Care Packages (HCPs), as well as banning home care exit fees.
Code of Conduct for Aged Care – are you and your workers ready?
With the new Aged Care Code of Conduct coming into force at the beginning of next month, we refer readers to this analysis by Victor Harcourt (pictured) of Russell Kennedy.
How does Respect Aged Care turn around struggling providers?
Respect Aged Care is known for its ability to turn around failing aged care operations, from one losing $800,000 a month to others under serious sanction facing closure.
Aged care food under scrutiny as reports reveal many providers spent less than $10 per person per day in second half of 2021
There are fresh concerns over the quality of food being served at aged care homes, with Senate Estimates hearing that in the last financial year, more than 1,500 providers spent less than $10 per person per day on food or did not answer ACQSC questions on the subject.
Three in four aged care workers planning to quit without major pay rise, says union
The Health Services Union has warned that the aged care sector is “on the brink of collapse”, with a survey of workers revealing 75% are considering jumping ship if they don’t get a significant pay rise.
Catholic Healthcare almost $56M in the red for FY22
Catholic Healthcare has posted a $55.9 million deficit for the 2021-22 financial year, which it says reflects the broader financial doldrums afflicting the aged care sector.
Opal loses bid for aged care home on asbestos-tainted site in western Sydney
A proposed Opal HealthCare home at St Clair, in Sydney’s west, has been knocked back by Penrith City Council over a number of issues including asbestos contamination.
Goodwin buys The Glen at Batemans Bay from Fresh Hope Communities
ACT-based Not For Profit aged care provider Goodwin has acquired The Glen, a residential aged care home at Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, from Fresh Hope Communities.
Bendigo joins list of Victorian councils exiting aged care
Another major Victorian regional council is ending its home care services, with the City of Greater Bendigo to transition clients to a new provider by June 30, 2023.
Signature Care gets green light for Wagga Wagga expansion wing
Signature Care’s $35 million aged care facility under construction in Wagga Wagga, NSW, has been given permission for its additional $4.6 million wing.
BlueCare tips Total Construction for Toowoomba RAC refurbishment
Queensland-based Not For Profit provider BlueCare has selected Total Construction to refurbish and upgrade its aged care home at Acacia Gardens in Toowoomba, Queensland.
