ADVENTCARE has called off plans to shut down the Warburton nursing home after the Warburton congregation of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church met with its management on 2 June.
The Warburton congregation opposed the proposal to “wind down operations” at the Warburton facility after AdventCare management met residents in March and conveyed their plans.
The boards made a joint resolution that AdventCare Yarra Ranges would not close by the actions of the AdventCare board.
Natural deaths have been outstripping the number of residents going into the facility, and the inadequate rooms cannot cater for higher need patients.
The Warburton church board for the first time met with the AdventCare board of management on Thursday 2 June and discussed about conditions at the Warburton facility. The boards made a joint resolution that AdventCare Yarra Ranges would not close by the actions of the AdventCare board, a message that has been communicated to residents after the first meeting in March.
Warburton’s senior minister Pastor Richard Araya-Bishop said it was a positive meeting that gave a positive commitment from AdventCare.
“It was reassuring to have that meeting and know the members of the (AdventCare) board are keen to keep it open,” he said.
“We have formed a special committee to go through details of what can be done next, and develop a five-year plan to make sure it’s viable and functioning as it’s been since it was opened.”
AdventCare executive director Ruth Welling said she was concerned there were still insecurities among staff and residents at the facility.
“We have no immediate plans to shut the facility,” she said.
“Our immediate plans are to keep focused on the residents and staff and to continue carrying on as a business for as long as possible.
“The directors of AdventCare acknowledge the historical part the local church has played in establishing the facility and its passion in wanting to see the facility as an ongoing concern.”
The facility had not sacked staff despite the declining numbers, but in the last month seven staff have taken voluntary redundancies but will stay on as casual staff.
In the last month, there has been one new resident admission and several transfers to other facilities including the AdventCare facility in Yarra Junction.
