Community Fights For Loss Of 94 Aged Care Beds

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) today held a rally with members, residents, residents families and the broader community to save Southern Cross Care Rosary Gardens 94 bed residential aged care facility in the State’s South.

Southern Cross Care announced on 5 November  that it would close its Rosary Gardens facility in June 2026 and would transition their focus to home based aged care services.

“This announcement has come as a complete shock to our members and in particular to residents and their families at a time when residential aged care beds are needed more than ever,” ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said.

The ANMF has called on the Tasmanian Government and the Federal Government via the State and Federal Health Ministers to intervene to support Southern Cross Care to keep Rosary Gardens open whilst Southern Cross Care adapt to the Aged Care Reforms.

“To date no response has been received but the ANMF will continue to pursue this opportunity due to the benefits of keeping Rosary Gardens open both at a State and Federal level,” said Shepherd.

“Quite clearly, we know that there is already a shortage of residential aged care beds with many vulnerable Tasmanians awaiting aged care placement in Tasmanians public acute hospitals – acknowledged repeatedly by the Premier and the Health Minister.

“However, while aged care sits within a Federal jurisdiction, the impacts are clearly on Tasmanians and a further loss of 94 residential aged care beds will be catastrophic to this vulnerable Tasmanian cohort, not to mention those residents who are already residing in Rosary Gardens.”

Shepherd said the ANMF acknowledges an intent to improve community and home based care as part of the Federal Governments Aged Care Reforms, there is no doubt that if an elderly person needs residential aged care, no amount of community services will be adequate to meet the needs of that individual.

“With the rising diagnoses of dementia in Australia set to increase rapidly, more residential aged care options are needed along with home care services.

“This decision by Southern Cross Care defies logic and it is critical that the State and Federal Governments intervene in this matter to ensure that there is no loss of residential aged care beds at Rosary Gardens, particularly as Rosary Gardens has already started to limit intake of aged are community members who need longer term care.”

The ANMF has started a petition and encourage all concerned residents, residents’ families and community members to sign this to show the widespread community concern and support to keep this critical and valued facility open.

“The ANMF will continue to support members to take action in highlighting the need to keep Rosary Gardens open to ensure continuity of care for those existing residents and future residents.

“They desperately need the specialised care that can only be provided in residential aged care and by experience and caring aged care nursing and care staff.”