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News>New modern facility for residents of Northcliffe Lodge
Residents of Council’s Northcliffe Lodge aged care facility in Edithvale will have access to a brand new, high quality 90 bed facility in just two years following Council’s decision to proceed with the sale of the 60 existing bed licenses.
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|  Following a comprehensive ‘expression of interest’ process (known as Request for Proposal), Council has endorsed Gold Age Pty Ltd as its preferred partner to deliver on its commitment to improve the accommodation for residents of Northcliffe Lodge.
Kingston City Council Mayor, Cr John Ronke said that this agreement will provide the residents of Northcliffe Lodge with access to a brand new facility only blocks away from their current home.
“Kingston City Council wants our residents to have access to high quality, modern residential aged care facilities that meet the expectations our community and the standards set by the Commonwealth Government,” he said.
“Unfortunately we cannot provide this at Northcliffe Lodge because the building itself has major limitations, in particular its poor and restrictive internal design, and there is limited capacity for expansion or redevelopment on the site.
“Gold Age has secured a unique opportunity to redevelop the former Aspendale-Edithvale RSL site, located in Kinross Avenue, Aspendale only a short distance from Northcliffe Lodge.
“This will allow residents of Northcliffe Lodge to move into a new high quality, 90 bed modern residential aged care facility while maintaining their connection to the local area.
He said that Council’s decision to proceed with the sale was on the basis that Gold Age’s proposal successfully delivered on all the key principles underpinning the expression of interest process: to ensure the 60 bed licences are retained in Kingston, that every current Northcliffe resident is guaranteed high quality care and accommodation for as long as they desire it and that that there is no change in residents’ existing occupancy financial arrangements.
“Council is pleased to be able to deliver on each and every one of the commitments we made to the residents of Northcliffe Lodge, and ultimately achieve better accommodation for all.”
He emphasised that Council’s decision was not a reflection on the excellent high quality care provided by staff and volunteers at Northcliffe Lodge.
“Our volunteers and staff deliver exceptional care under very difficult circumstances with a building that just isn’t up to today’s standards,” he said. “The decision to proceed with the sale is purely and simply about the inadequacies of the building and the impact this has on our ability to provide the best services and facilities that we can.”
The Mayor said that subject to all the relevant approvals, Gold Age will take over operations at Northcliffe Lodge before the end of the year, and that the development, accreditation and relocation to the new facility will take up to two years to complete.
“Council is taking a very active role to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible and follows strict, high standards. We will continue to support residents, families, staff and volunteers all the way through this process,” he said.
He also said that the new development on the RSL site would also benefit the local community.
“As part of the new development Council has negotiated the acquisition of land on the RSL site to develop a pedestrian pathway to improve accessibility, and a drainage easement to reduce the impacts of flooding on local residents,” he said.
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| Examples of inadequacies at Northcliffe | | The two-storey brick veneer building was constructed in the 1970s. It is significantly dated, has a restrictive layout and design and would not be suitable for upgrading. Some problems with the building include:
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 | The small activities room which serves as a resident and family meeting place, recreation area and activities area cannot fit all 60 residents, their walking frames, staff and visitors at the one time. It also restricts the space in which staff can provide important recreation, lifestyle and health programs. | | Residents’ rooms and ensuites are so small that a person with a walking frame finds it difficult to move around, particularly in and out of the ensuite and shower. This also impedes staff access to assist residents. | | The use of rooms upstairs is limited to those who are able to negotiate the stairs or use the very small lift. | | It has narrow corridors which make it difficult for staff to move beds and nursing equipment around and hard for residents using frames or wheelchairs to pass each other. | | There are minimal lounge and seating areas and they are of a poor standard. | | Although the facility has the highest level of accreditation it does not meet current Commonwealth requirements that apply to new aged care facilities, and cannot be altered to achieve this.
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| What will happen to the Northcliffe site? | | Council will lease the Northcliffe building to Gold Age Pty Ltd until they build and relocate to the new facility, which could take up to two years. The use of the site beyond this point will be a matter for the new Council to decide and will be subject to community consultation.
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| Staff at Northcliffe Lodge | | Cr Ronke said that a number of measures have been put in place to support current Northcliffe staff.
“We understand that this may be an uncertain time for staff at Northcliffe Lodge and we will work them on an individual basis to help them through this process.”
Eligible Northcliffe staff will have the opportunity to be redeployed to either Corben House or Nixon Hostel where vacancies exist or the option for a redundancy (from a date to be set) and other provisions under Council’s Enterprise Agreement. Gold Age will also be speaking to staff about the potential for continued employment with them at Northcliffe Lodge.
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| Communication | | Cr Ronke said that Council was going to continue its personalised approach with residents, their families, staff and volunteers to communicate what is happening at Northcliffe Lodge and work closely with Gold Age to support them through the transition. Gold Age has also committed to involving all parties in the design and development of the new facility.
For more information please contact Sarah Bishop, Manager Communications & Public Affairs on 9581 4730.
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