The opening today of a 108-bed residential aged care facility in Grovedale completes a $99 million Brumby Government pledge to boost the area’s health and aged care, Senior Victorians Minister Lisa Neville said today.
Ms Neville and State Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield, opened the Alan David Lodge, the last stage of the Brumby Government’s investment in Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre redevelopment.
“The Brumby Government is taking action now to deliver quality health and aged care services for Victorian families,” Ms Neville said.
“Alan David Lodge is a great example of the Brumby Government taking action to build contemporary facilities that meet a growing local demand for aged care in regional Victoria.
“The new nursing home provides modern and comfortable public aged residential care for people south of the Barwon River, making access easier for families and friends.”
“The new nursing home provides modern and comfortable public aged residential care.”
Ms Neville said the proportion of Geelong residents aged over 70 was about 11.6 per cent and is expected to grow to 15.8 per cent by 2021, compared to an average of 13.5 per cent across Victoria.
Alan David Lodge was the last stage in this massive investment from the Brumby Government to redevelop Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre, she said.
The project included:
• $22 million (Stage 1) for a 100-bed inpatient rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation management and palliative care beds, which opened in 2005;
• $52 million (Stage 2) for 198 aged care beds, a community rehabilitation centre and Barwon Health production kitchen. The 198 beds included the new 108-bed high care unit Wallace Lodge, 45-bed complex care unit and 45 aged mental health beds; and,
• $25 million (Stage 3) to build Alan David Lodge in Grovedale, a new campus for Barwon Health.
Since 1999 the Victorian Government has spent $447 million upgrading 47 facilities across Victoria. These facilities provide 1900 beds for Victorians who can not remain at home.
Mr Crutchfield, who campaigned for the Alan David Lodge to be built, said residents had come from John Robb House, The McKellar Centre and the Peter Street aged care facility.
“These residents, their family and friends, are now enjoying the new lodge’s new facilities and its home-away-from-home feel,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“I am very impressed by its layout and the living spaces created to provide residents with a home that allows them privacy and the opportunity to have social contact with other residents.”