31 Oct 2018 Euroa Gazette, Euroa VIC (General News) by Diane Grant IN a time of unrest concerning aged care facilities, Nagambie HealthCare is facing diverse changes to their aged care, community care and sub-acute care programs. They have been applying for infrastructure grants and planning a new future for the facilities and their units at 2 Vale Street, behind the RSL and library. The northern end of town is booming with the building of many new houses and the Nagambie Healthcare is working with the Strathbogie Shire, Nagambie Senior Citizens and Nagambie RSL clubs to bring to fruition a community hub up that end of town. Nagambie Healthcares (NHC) chief executive officer, Bronwyn Beadle said board has a core understanding of the needs and expectations of the community and to ensure that our residents, patients and community clients receive high quality care the board has made some courageous decisions regarding organisational structure and off setting costs. The board also has a focus on ensuring governance in line with best practice and at their recent annual meeting; the board and members endorsed a reduction in board members from 12 to eight, she said. They have worked well together in accordance to new governances by the government to achieve excellent provision for the community. AWARD FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE On February 5, Nagambie Healthcare received a top 2018 Tri State, Leading Agedcare Services of Australia (LASA) award. The provider was nominated for the awards and reached the short list in October 2017 and is now one of 16 finalists for the inaugural national awards. The exciting news now is that on October 30, Nagambie Healthcares (NHC) chief executive officer, Bronwyn Beadle, will represent NHC as one of the state finalists at the National Leading Aged Care Services Australia (LASA) Age Services awards at the Adelaide Convention centre. LASA is the national peak body for aged care providers. The LASA Excellence in Age Services awards cover Victoria and Tasmania and South Australia, for aged care services across residential care, home care and retirement living. This award recognises an aged care services provider who has made an outstanding contribution to care and services development or provision of high level support to the aged by demonstrating leadership, innovation and excellence. FUTURE PLANS OF NHC Its been nearly five years, since Nagambie Healthcare held a Strategic Planning day in 2014, Ms Beadle has been actively implementing various projects for Nagambie HealthCares, aged care and community services, this has included hostel renovations and room additions, landscaping, open days and development of plans for the redevelopment of the acute care rooms in the hospital wing. The first focus of the NHC will be their new 12 bed hospital wing. Turning rooms that are 89 years old and bringing them up to current day standards, she said. Ms Beadle said new rooms will be built on the west side of the hospital and in the carport area, and there will be a new entrance also. She said they are also applying for Commonwealth infrastructure grants to refurbish Kirwan Wings bathrooms, and enlarge rooms in Goulburn Wing. The sale of the units in Vale Street to NHC was completed with the shire earlier this year, and Ms Beadle said such diversification was all taken into account when LASAs state president and National representative attended site visits to NHC in 2017, she said. The Vale Street Nagambie Supported Living Community project planned by the NHC, supported by the shire, RSL, and senior citizens, on the development is vital. NHC will also seek support from politicians Steph Ryan, Damian Drum, Jaclyn Symes for the future community development plan. In the new plans for the land around the existing units in Vale Street, will be provision for eight more units, a community garden, a civic plaza for community gatherings, and a new use for the Tri-Star Medical Clinic as a hub for community care services which are growing so much now. Ms Beadle hopes that a rural outreach service to assist people in crisis, because of the drought, will include a level of counselling and assistance services from there. FUNDRAISING NEEDED Major fundraising efforts have been held over 2018 to assist the building project. Mr Beadle said State Government grants have not been forthcoming to support NHC, so they are madly fundraising to fund their projects for the future. The Buy a Brick donations are being welcomed. A wall with the bricks on the facade will be on a wall to show that the rooms were built with community funds. NHCs fundraising has been supported by a rock and roll ball, golf day, and the funds raised from their Op Shop Miss Rodways. Our next fundraiser is the Christmas drinks at Jo and Tim Goodacres Helvetia property. on December 8, 6-9pm. Tickets can be bought from the Nagambie healthcare office, the Hospital Auxiliary members of Miss Rodways Shop.