The Murrumbidgee Aged Care Network is a co-op of seven aged care providers in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
Under the co-operative structure, the aged care operators will share administrative costs, freeing up management to focus on ensuring quality care for residents.
By sharing administrative duties across all seven facilities, it is intended to “ensure ongoing housing security for residents and their families”.
The co-op has been formed as part of Care Together, a Federal Government funded program to help establish social care co-ops and mutuals in regional areas, where other service models have failed.
Joining Cypress View Lodge in the co-op is Navorina Nursing Home at Deniliquin, Burrowa House at Boorowa, Adina Care at Cootamundra, Uralba Hostel at Gundagai, Lachlan Lodge at Hillston and Edward River Gardens at Moulamein.
The co-op was registered following an initial meeting in June, and the first official meeting will be held in September.
Seed funding will be the primary discussion point.
Until then, a sub-committee has been established to search for a manager to run the co-op.
Cypress View Lodge manager Karen Hodgson said the co-op represented a new approach to solving a number of issues common to smaller residential aged care operators in regional areas.
“By working together and pooling our resources, hopefully we can reduce our operating costs and drive greater efficiencies,” she siad.
“In the long term, that will mean continuity of care for our residents.”
Navorina chairman Matthew Watts said the co-op model recognises that some aged care operators in rural and remote areas might be forced to close their doors under such pressure.
“The co-op aims to pool resources and support members in different ways to improve sustainability of regional providers.
“Primary benefits will be in accessing expertise and resources that members need but struggle to find in the local area, or even afford on their own, and pooling of knowledge and information sharing.
“Examples might include recruitment, immigration, HR (human resources), and compliance expertise.
“Cost savings may come from the combined buying power, and we’re hoping to save on overheads and running costs such as electricity, IT systems.
“The exact savings can't be estimated, but any cost savings that are realised will be reinvested in the organisation's long-term viability.”
Mr Watts said the Murrumbidgee region was identified as an area deemed ‘most in need’ of intervention by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
“The program initially consulted a range of aged care providers throughout the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, with the final membership being made up of those providers who chose to participate in the program.”
Eventually, the co-op hopes to expand its services to other aged care providers.
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