IRT has this week lodged a development application for the renovation and refurbishment of Marco Polo Unanderra Aged Care Centre.
The project, which was officially announced by Minister for Aged Care and Sport, Anika Wells, on September 5th, is set to be funded by a $15.8 million grant provided under the Commonwealth’s Aged Care Capital Assistance Program.
CEO, Patrick Reid said IRT was extremely grateful to receive the grant, which will be used to upgrade and refurbish the Unanderra site, adding 48 beds for dementia and high-acuity patients in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
“This region faces significant population ageing, which is seeing an increased demand for aged care services, resulting in protracted stays in hospital for people who can no longer return to their own home after a serious life-changing health event,” Mr Reid said.
“This grant is important because it will enable us to deliver additional aged care beds, which will, in turn, reduce pressure on the local health system and achieve better social outcomes for the people who are caught in the holding pattern of waiting to leave the hospital.
“The benefits, therefore, are twofold; as an aged care bed is considered a home for the resident and a more comfortable environment than a hospital, and there is a cost-saving for the region’s hospitals when care is provided in an aged care centre rather than in sub-acute hospital care.
“In summary, sub-acute care is much more costly than aged care alternatives and is costing the Illawarra health system an extra $58 million annually. Adding more aged care beds will significantly reduce these costs,” he said.
The funding will enable the refurbishment of Cordeaux Lodge, which is currently home to 80 residents, and the restoration of the currently closed St Luke’s and St John’s nursing homes, bringing online an additional 30 high-care suites and 18 secure memory support suites.
Built in the 1980s, the St Luke’s and St John’s wings were officially closed in March 2023 after new admissions ceased two years prior. At the time, it was acknowledged that the style and standard of accommodation in this section of the building no longer met residents’ needs and expectations.
Wollongong City Council is expected to soon place the DA on exhibition for public viewing and comment.
