Presbyterian Care Tasmania, a not-for-profit mission-based aged care provider, has foreshadowed a move to close its North-East Tasmania facility – Aminya, by May 2016.

Earlier this month Presbyterian Care Tasmania withdrew from discussions regarding the transfer of aged care beds in the James Scott Wing (JSW) at the North East Memorial Hospital in Scottsdale.

The planned objective of those discussions was to combine the operations of James Scott Wing with those at Aminya into a viable aged care facility to provide accommodation for some 45 people supported by other services within the community at a cost of $3+ million.

However, an exhaustive financial investigation has shown that there is no financially viable model to support the transfer or the development of a combined facility.

Chief Executive Officer John Brooks said the Board of Presbyterian Care had to make a difficult choice, continue with the transfer of the James Scott Wing and risk the overall viability of its operations throughout Tasmania, as well as review the viability of continuing with the planned rebuilding of the Aminya facility.

“Since taking over Aminya, Presbyterian Care has committed in excess of half a million dollars to fund accumulated operating losses and has injected another half a million dollars in capital funding for facility improvements and equipment,” Mr Brooks said.

“The Board of Presbyterian Care has now resolved that whilst there has been some incremental improvement in the financial performance of Aminya, regrettably it can no longer operate Aminya with continuing losses and its ongoing need for capital improvements.”

“As a result we have advised residents, family and friends the facility will be closed over the course of the coming 12 months to May 2016.

“We are committed to working closely with all residents, family and friends to ensure their accommodation needs are met and will make sure all persons our care are be appropriately housed and cared for.”
There are currently 23 residents and 50 staff at Aminya.

Presbyterian Care Tasmania continues its commitment to provide residential aged care services at our three other residential campuses in Hobart and Launceston as well as home care packages and day respite.
Chief Executive Officer John Brooks