Aged care gets $17m upgrade

A BENDIGO aged care centre will receive more than $17 million to update facilities built in the 1960s.Mercy Health will redevelop the Bethlehem Home for the Aged in Golden Square over the next five years.Mercy Health executive director of aged care services Bill Appleby said the 123-bed residential aged care centre had been in operation for more 40 years and was reaching the end of its effective operational life.The new centre will have three fewer beds, but has been hailed as a state-of-the-art centre.“We recognise Bethlehem has a special place in the Bendigo community,” Mr Appleby said.“It’s Mercy Health’s intention that the `new’ Bethlehem be equally deserving of that reputation for care.”Mercy Health has planned a complex two-stage site redevelopment, with work commencing some time next year, pending planning and other approvals.“As the redevelopment proceeds, existing buildings will be replaced,” Mr Appleby said.“That will unfortunately and inevitably mean disruption to residents, their families and carers, and for our staff as well, although I’m pleased to say we are in negotiation with local aged care providers to assess the options available.“Our aim is to be certain everybody with a direct interest in Bethlehem and its people will have the information and support to help them to best manage what will be a disruptive time.“That will include regular face-to-face meetings, a community support and information network, progress updates and reporting.“And, at the close of the project, Bendigo will have a new, flexible, 120-bed, state-of-the-art residential aged care service.”