29 March 2023
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your ongoing support as we care for your loved one at our Sarah Claydon Aged Care Centre.
I am writing to let you know about some refurbishment works which have commenced on the first floor of the Meroo Wing, which are being carried out for the purpose of preparing the units for temporary staff rental accommodation.
The activity includes removal of furniture, some appliances and carpets, as well as deliveries. We are also allocating space for a staff kitchen, and will retain some of the rooms for care centre use such as office space and storage. This work is expected to be complete no earlier than May.
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.
You may have noticed that some rooms have already been utilised for agency staff on a short-term basis, and we may continue to offer some units to agency staff who are engaged to assist us when we need additional resources into the future.
While there are units being repurposed for staff accommodation because they are no longer being utilised as care units, we acknowledge that other 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.
Similar works are taking place or have already been completed at some of our other care centres in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Illawarra 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.
Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely
Linzi Kells
Operations Manager Shoalhaven
