GUNNEDAH aged care facilities operator McLean Care is still in negotiations for a provider to take over its facilities.
Earlier this year, the Inverell-based provider announced its plan to transition aged care facilities and services to a new provider.
McLean Care operates the 79-bed Apex Road residential aged care home as well as the 41-bed Alkira facility. It also operates Mackellar Village, a 48-unit facility co-located onsite with the Apex Road residential aged care. Other facilities are located in Inverell, Guyra, Oakey (Queensland) and Millmerran (Queensland).
When announcing its intention to seek a new provider, McLean Care acknowledged the move is in response to a range of financial pressures facing aged care providers, particularly in regional areas, including complex compliance requirements, rising operating costs, labour shortages and the increasing cost of maintaining and upgrading facilities.
At the time, board chair Manuel Meszaros said the transition was necessary to ensure the long-term future of the services provided by McLean Care in local regional communities.
“Unfortunately, the pressures on aged care providers, especially in regional areas, mean McLean Care’s operations are no longer viable under our current operating model,” Meszaros said.
“The board has made the difficult decision to seek new providers and operators of McLean Care’s facilities and services.
“This process will be led by expert financial and legal advisers with support from the Commonwealth government.
“We will be seeking potential new providers that are aligned to our mission-led ethos, committed to high-quality care and resident wellbeing, and have the financial resources necessary to operate successfully into the future.
“There will be no impact on our residential aged care facilities or home-care services.
“These will continue to operate as normal during the process and we will be working toward a seamless transition to new providers.
“We are in close communication with residents, families, home-care clients and employees on this decision and will continue to keep them informed as the process unfolds.”
In its latest update on the matter, published in June, the provider said its residential aged care homes continue to operate as normal across its six regional facilities in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.
“Residents continue to receive the same high standard of care and support from dedicated staff, and there is no impact on day-to-day operations,” the update read.
“While a new provider has not yet been appointed to manage these facilities, McLean Care remains in discussions with a number of interested parties regarding the future ownership and operation of its residential aged care homes.
“The organisation will continue to keep residents, families, staff and the community informed as this process progresses.”
From June, the majority of McLean Care’s Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) clients and Support at Home (SAH) clients have transitioned to Australian Unity.
That change means McLean Care no longer provides in-home aged care services.
“The transition has been undertaken with a strong focus on continuity of care, ensuring clients continue to receive the support they need with as little disruption as possible,” the provider said.
“McLean Care has worked closely with clients, staff, Australian Unity and the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing throughout this process.
“McLean Care sincerely thanks its Home and Community Services team for their dedication and commitment to supporting older Australians to remain independent in their own homes.
“The organisation also thanks its clients and families for the trust they have placed in McLean Care over many years and wishes them well as they continue their care journey with their chosen provider.”
