The Allan Labor Government is ensuring older Victorians in the state’s north east get the high-quality care they need and deserve, close to home – with construction on a new aged care facility in Rutherglen at the halfway mark.
Member for Northern Victoria Region Jaclyn Symes today inspected the progress on the new $57.11 million, 50-bed facility that will provide a safe and comfortable place for residents to call home, as well as a modern and efficient working environment for staff.
The first half of the Rutherglen facility construction has seen the completion of the ground floor foundations, structural steel and wall frames, with the roof and internal works now well underway.
The new facility will replace the existing 40-bed Glenview Community Care Nursing Home and deliver an additional 10 beds for the community. Each resident at the facility will be accommodated in a private single room with ensuite bathroom in an environment that promotes dignity and independence.
Residents will share a community room and common areas designed to encourage social interactions and activities between residents, families and the community.
The new facility will also provide an environment that is dementia friendly and better suited to supporting mental health and the complex care needs of older Victorians.
This means residents can ‘age in place’, which is especially important in regional areas like Rutherglen – ensuring residents can be closer to home and their established support networks to maintain family and community connections as their care needs increase.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, in partnership with Indigo North Health and builder Zauner Construction, the project has created approximately 170 construction industry jobs and is on track for completion in 2025.
The new Rutherglen facility is part of the first stage of the Labor Government’s Regional and Rural Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services Revitalisation Strategy to modernise ageing facilities which are home to some of our most vulnerable older Victorians across the state.
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Region Jaclyn Symes
“The new and modern facility in Rutherglen will meet a range of complex health care needs – so locals won’t have to move away to access care, staying connected to family and the community.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt
“Once complete, this state-of-the-art facility will support the independence, privacy and dignity of residents, while providing a modern and supportive work environment for dedicated staff.”
