Major discussions are currently underway between two of Scone’s aged care service providers.
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TransCare Hunter Limited and Strathearn are in the process of re-assessing their operating models to keep abreast of the significant changes planned by the Australian Government.
The changes in aged care and disability services will be gradually introduced from July next year, however local service providers plan to be ready and pro-active.
The two organisations are exploring merging together to provide a committed joint service to the community in the future.
Both locally based, not-for-profit organisations provide a wide range of quality services to residents in the Upper Hunter Shire.
The boards of each organisation with their chief executive officers are working to ensure the services continue to be provided by locally based service providers.
TransCare chief executive officer Alan Gordon said the discussions are still at the early stages, with many fine points to be considered.
In a press release issued jointly by TransCare and Strathearn, Mr Gordon and Strathearn chief executive officer Matt Downie, said it is intended that any cooperation would establish an enhanced platform for funding assistance to the local area and would ensure the optimum allocation of resources and avoid duplication of services.
“The form of cooperation has not been determined as yet however, formal cooperation between Strathearn and TransCare will only proceed if there are demonstrable benefits to the community we both serve.”
Upper Hunter Shire mayor Michael Johnsen said we’ve got two very well run and very well respected community organisations that deal predominantly in the same sphere of aged care so there is a definite link between the two.
He said the fact that they are both very well run and believe that they will be able to deliver services even better by setting up the organisations as one to deliver the services for a much longer time and much more effectively is great.
“They will need to think through all the aspects of it, and unless it benefits the community it won’t go ahead, but I wish them all the very best as they provide services that are critical to Scone and the Upper Hunter.”