By NOEL MURPHY
THE SALE of Portarlington’s Ann Nichol House is on a backburner as Bellarine Community Health (BCH) undertakes further due diligence and probity.
The sale of the aged care facility has become a red-hot issue across the Bellarine Peninsula after BCH decided to sell the 80-bed facility, which was losing $200,000 a year.
BCH’s board decided in 2013 to withdraw from residential aged care after selling 40-bed Coorabin at Point Lonsdale.
Opponents have accused BCH of backflipping on earlier assurances it would retain Ann Nichol House.
BCH chief executive John Fendyk hit back this week, arguing “a significant amount of misinformation” around the sale would probably increase at a protest rally this weekend at Portarlington’s Parks Reserve.
“It’s unfortunate the protest is being conducted because a lot of accurate information will not be told regarding the future sale of Ann Nichol House,” Mr Fendyk told the Independent.
“The sale to a private provider will not erode the residents’ level of care and financial status in place at present.
“Throughout this process there has been a significant amount of misinformation distributed by some parties and we expect more of the same at this weekend’s rally, which has been organised by the union.”
Mr Fendyk said the banning of questions about the future of the facility at a recent Ann Nichol Advocacy Group meeting was “somewhat perplexing”.
Economies of scale prevented BCH operating the facility profitably but private operators were “keen to grow the number of beds”, particularly if the sale included BCH’s 40-bed licence from Coorabin House, he said.
“The opportunities to increase the size of the ANH facility to 100 beds will increase local job opportunities for the Bellarine and ensure it has sufficient beds to meet the needs of the population … for many years to come.”
Mr Fendyk said federal legistlation protected the care of all BCH aged-care residents.
“The sale of aged care facilities is not a new issue in this country and the community should be assured that providers have the best interests of residents when a sale is negotiated.”
