DORSET Mayor Barry Jarvis says he is very concerned about the future of aged care in the North-East and the prospect of further unemployment at Scottsdale after Presbyterian Care Tasmania announced that it would close its Scottsdale aged care facility. The decision to close Aminya by May 2016 comes weeks after Presbyterian Care Tasmania’s shock last-minute withdrawal from plans to take over the James Scott Wing, a state-owned aged care facility also at Scottsdale. A statement from the non-profit organisation said they had planned to combine James Scott’s operations with Aminya, but an exhaustive investigation found it was not financially viable. Chief executive John Brooks added that the organisation could no longer operate Aminya because of continuing losses and an ongoing need for capital improvements. The facility, which has 23 residents and 50 staff, will be closed over the 12 months to May 2016. Mr Brooks said Presbyterian Care Tasmania would work with residents and family to ensure their accommodation needs were met and they were appropriately cared for. Health Minister Michael Ferguson said he would speak with all stakeholders including local and federal governments about what could be done to minimise the impact in the North-East. Cr Jarvis said the loss of jobs would be ‘‘absolutely huge’’ for a region already hit hard by unemployment.
DORSET Mayor Barry Jarvis says he is very concerned about the future of aged care in the North-East and the prospect of further unemployment at Scottsdale after Presbyterian Care Tasmania announced that it would close its Scottsdale aged care facility.
The decision to close Aminya by May 2016 comes weeks after Presbyterian Care Tasmania’s shock last-minute withdrawal from plans to take over the James Scott Wing, a state-owned aged care facility also at Scottsdale.
A statement from the non-profit organisation said they had planned to combine James Scott’s operations with Aminya, but an exhaustive investigation found it was not financially viable.
Chief executive John Brooks added that the organisation could no longer operate Aminya because of continuing losses and an ongoing need for capital improvements.
The facility, which has 23 residents and 50 staff, will be closed over the 12 months to May 2016.
Mr Brooks said Presbyterian Care Tasmania would work with residents and family to ensure their accommodation needs were met and they were appropriately cared for.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said he would speak with all stakeholders including local and federal governments about what could be done to minimise the impact in the North-East.
Cr Jarvis said the loss of jobs would be ‘‘absolutely huge’’ for a region already hit hard by unemployment.
Presbyterian Care Tasmania’s Scottsdale aged care facility, Aminya, is to close by May 2016. Picture: GEOFF ROBSON
