Construction is underway on the new $81.58 million Wantirna public sector residential aged care facility.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today turned the first sod on the 120-bed state-of-the-art facility.
“This purpose-built facility will ensure older Victorians receive the care they deserve, in a comfortable environment that feels like home,” said Minister Donnellan.
“Being within the Wantirna Health Precinct means residents will also be able to quickly and easily access health services if needed.”
He said the four-storey aged care home would cater to the more complex needs of its residents and had been designed to be mobility and dementia-friendly.
It also features a ‘pandemic mode’ ventilation and airconditioning system, which when needed, would help to contain the spread of infectious airborne particles by exhausting all air externally from an infected space and provide 100% fresh air to isolated areas.
“Residents will enjoy a more home-like environment with the dignity and independence of their own private room and ensuite. Thoughtful touches, such as memory boxes with personal items at the entrance of each resident’s room, will be important to helping residents feel safe and at home,” Mr Donnellan said.
The facility will also include a community room, café, sacred space and other common areas designed to encourage social interactions between residents, staff and families and allow for a range of day to day activities.
“The architecture of the new facility has been carefully considered and seeks to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of residents and staff. Natural light-filled spaces and views of the Dandenong Ranges have been integrated into the design to increase the sense of connection to the natural environment.”
It will be operated and staffed by Eastern Health as part of the Wantirna Health Precinct, adhering to Victoria’s legislated nurse-to-resident ratios in public sector residential aged care services.
“We’ve led the way as the first state in Australia to have nurse-to-resident ratios in its public sector residential aged care. These reforms provide an important safeguard for both residents and staff, and ensure older Victorians are receiving the best care possible,” Mr Donnellan said.
“This year we have seen just how important these ratios are – throughout the pandemic, there were just 15 positive cases in Victoria’s public aged care, including three residents and no deaths.”
The facility is scheduled for completion by mid-2022.
For more information about the Wantirna residential aged care facility visit vhhsba.vic.gov.au/health-infrastructure/wantirna-residential-aged-care
