7 December 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your ongoing support as we care for your loved one at our Woonona Aged Care Centre.
I am writing to let you know about some refurbishment works which have commenced at your loved one’s aged care centre.
You or your loved one may notice some activity which is taking place in the Blueberry Ash area, which is being carried out for the purpose of preparing some units there for temporary staff rental accommodation. The activity includes removal of furniture, some appliances and carpets, as well as the usual activity carried out by our Facilities Management team when units are refurbished.
As we seek to attract and recruit staff from a range of places including overseas we are finding that locating and securing rental accommodation can be a challenge for many. Our aim is to offer a temporary accommodation solution for new staff as they settle in to living and working in the area; and to also provide the option of onsite accommodation to Agency staff who support us during periods when additional resources are needed.
The new employees will pay rent, and in the case of Agency staff other arrangements will apply based on IRT’s contractual obligations.
While there are units being repurposed for staff accommodation because they are no longer being utilised as care units, we acknowledge that other Blueberry Ash units remain the home of some of our care centre residents. Measures will be taken to ensure resident and staff accommodation spaces are kept separate and private, and all residents will continue to be supported with their care needs.
Works on the refurbishments are being coordinated by IRT’s Facilities Management Team which is experienced in minimising disruption while working in our aged care centres and retirement villages. The works are expected to be complete by early in the new-year, with no activity planned for weekends or public holidays.
Similar activity is also underway in some of our other care centres in the Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla regions, where there are under-utilised care units or assets.
Please pass this message on to others as you consider appropriate and if you have any questions please contact your Care Manager; or join us at our Relatives meeting to be held on 13 December at 1.30pm for more information.
Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres