About the Project
Since 1996, NSW Health has implemented a program to transfer State Government residential aged care facilities to the non-government sector. This followed the enactment of the Aged Care Act which confirmed that the Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Ageing, has funding, policy and regulatory responsibility for residential aged care services in Australia.
The State Government is calling for expressions of interests (EOI) to explore service models that may see the transfer of eleven state owned facilities during 2009/10.
The proposed models will offer new opportunities to provide better care for residents and may include the redevelopment of some facilities, to provide better quality aged care homes.
The Minister for Health John Della Bosca has indicated that if new models of care and accommodation are not met, transfers will not proceed.
Aged Care facilities included in the EOI include:
| Facility | Number of places |
| Queen Victoria Memorial Home | 100 |
| Governor Phillip Nursing Home | 80 |
| Garrawarra Centre | 120 |
| Wallsend | 103 |
| Hillcrest Nursing Home Gloucester | 40 |
| Kimbarra Lodge, Gloucester | 20 |
| Leeton | 38 |
| Murrumburrah-Harden | 20 |
| Muswellbrook | 18 |
| Holbrook | 16 |
| Corowa | 31 |
NSW Health will implement the project in accordance with the approved Guiding Principles which are also included in this web information (www.health.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/nursinghomes/principles.asp) to ensure continuity of residents' access to services now and in the future.
The Project is to offer opportunities for developing strategic partnerships with non-government aged care operators to provide better models of care, as an alternative to the current service model. There are also opportunities for the non-government sector to redevelop some of these facilities, providing better quality facilities and improved amenities.
About the residential aged care services in NSW
In 2007/08, over 98% of residential aged care facilities in NSW were operated by the non-Government sector and expertise in managing and operating these facilities is concentrated in this sector.
An analysis of the services by organisation types shows 51% of aged care facilities were provided by charitable not-for-profit agencies; 25% by private companies; 19% by community based organizations and 3% by local government.
State Owned Nursing Homes represented just 1.4% of all mainstream residential aged care in NSW.
This web page is managed and authorised by Media & Communications of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 5 March, 2009