by HEATHER GRANT-CAMPBELL
The Eventide residential aged care facility on Brisbane’s northern bayside appears to be out of critical care.
Member for Sandgate Stirling Hinchliffe told The Senior that Eventide at Brighton will remain as a state-run residential aged care home “for current residents and for generations to come”.
The commitment was made as Mr Hinchliffe announced an independent steering committee, chaired by former Brisbane councillor and long-time local Denise Herbert, would work with the Metro North Hospital and Health Service and guide community consultation.
“This is the next step in honouring a commitment to deliver long-term residential care at Brighton, in a manner that responds to the future rather than harking back to a lost past,” he said.
Steering committee members include health service representatives, COTA Queensland’s Mark Tucker-Evans and Save Eventide campaigner Sue Kimmins. Stakeholders including Bluecare, which owns adjoining land, will be part of the consultation.
While Ms Herbert said she wanted decisions and action by the end of this year to give remaining residents and their families stability, Mr Hinchliffe said change could not be “achieved in a heartbeat”.
The furore over Eventide’s future erupted in late 2012 when the former Newman government announced its intention to get out of aged care, which is federally funded.
An aged care residential facility at Wynnum on Brisbane’s south bayside was the first to close, followed by the relocation of many Eventide Brighton residents.
Maryborough’s 96-bed high-care residential Yaralla Place was sold to private providers and aged care in the Burnett moved from Kingaroy to Wondai.
Ms Herbert said she was interested in hearing all aspects of healthy ageing.
“Aged care is about more than beds and respite, although goodness knows, carers need respite services,” she said.
“We’re seeing more services provided in the home and that may be part of this site’s future as well.
“I’m interested in how we can regain a sense of ‘home’ for those who live at Eventide and stimulate a sense of being part of the wider community.”
- To be a part of the discussion, email letstalkbrighton@ health.qld.gov.au or phone 3647-9725.
