THE new structure for the provision of community services in Kiama was unveiled on Monday, as Kiama council launched its new brand, Blue Haven Care.
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Attendees at The Pavilion received an update on the progress of the Kiama Hospital Aged Care Centre of Excellence, and how council plans to meet the challenges of aged and disability care service delivery since the implementation of federal and state government funding reforms.
The launch represented the coming together of Illawarra In Home Support and Blue Haven.
If living independently is no longer possible, Blue Haven Care can provide a residential environment, with support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said the same services would continue to be provided under the new banner and structure.
‘‘It links both our aged care facility, but that is only one component of it, with all our other community services, and it’s a clear statement that we intend to stay in the game and can hopefully continue to provide the community services that we have provided in the past, and hopefully be able to provide in the future.’’
Cr Petschler cited new funding funding arrangements as a result of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Living Longer Living Better as revolutionary.
‘‘They’re changing the funding from providing providers like us with the funds to do it... The funding now goes to the clients, and they pick and choose the services they want.
‘‘So it means a whole new ball game... We have to be prepared to provide a service that is flexible, and that people want.
‘‘We hope that we’re able to compete (with commercial operators) by setting up this quasi-commercial operation which is able to respond quickly and hopefully effectively to provide services people think they want.’’
A key part of the Blue Haven Care model is plans for the future of the Kiama Hospital site.
The redevelopment of the Kiama Hospital site will include a modern 134-bed aged care facility, including dementia-friendly care.
The $62 million Blue Haven project entailed council buying the hospital site from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, in order to use the 3.3-hectare site as a Blue Haven aged-care development, the Aged Care Centre of Excellence.
The Health District will also provide improved community and out-patient health services from the facility.
Council had faced criticism from residents and some councillors over plans to sell eight residential lots at the southern end of the hospital site to help cash flow in the project’s early stages.
The latest, revised plans for the site don’t include the residential lots.
Council general manager and Blue Haven CEO Michael Forsyth said as part of the new draft plans, yet to be endorsed by council, car parking was proposed for the area, as well as being kept open, with further consideration by council in the future.
‘‘There’s a range of optional uses that land could be used for, depending on the financial feasibility and its compatibility with the principal project, being the aged care facility,’’ he said.
‘‘These latest plans we have it as open area, with car parking in that area, instead of residential lots.
‘‘Because of the Bonaira garden there is a bushfire restricted zone, which we’ve had recently reviewed, and confirmed that we have to keep a 50-metre separation between the bush and any aged care.
‘‘So that’s why the space is open, but can be used for car parking and for other uses, like for staff office purposes.’’
Mr Forsyth expected the plan would be endorsed by council within the next month, with councillors and staff to receive a briefing on the latest plans next week.
Public comment will be sought regarding council’s formal application, with the proposal to be determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel.
“The new facility is expected to be completed and accepting residents in April 2018,’’ Mr Forsyth said.