From Planning to Progress: NCN Health’s New Public Sector Residential Aged Care Development

The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA), in conjunction with the Department of Health, are leading this project in collaboration with NCN Health.
Operations and PSRACs Project Manager Bronti O’Connor said an internal Project Control Group (PCG) will meet for the duration of the project to guide the transition into the new facility.
She said the group is responsible for coordinating the many operational and cultural elements required to bring the new facility to life — including consultation on work practices, model of care and workflows, planning for services such as cleaning and kitchen operations, community engagement, volunteer programs, and providing input into key design elements that will shape the look, feel and culture of the new ‘Lodge’.

“While much of the work isn’t yet visible on site, there is significant planning underway behind the scenes,” she said. “Our Project Control Group will begin carefully mapping out operational processes, staff workflows and service delivery models to ensure a smooth transition and a high-quality experience for residents and staff from day one.”

She said the group has representation from across NCN Health Numurkah clinical and non-clinical departments, and includes three consumer representatives.
“There was strong interest for the consumer representation positions within the group and we would like to welcome Rosemary Kennett, Patrick Kempton and Graham Henderson. Consumer representatives are included to ensure the perspectives of residents, families, and the broader community are central to planning and decision-making.”

Representatives from the Project Control Group have also started visiting new Residential Aged Care Facilities across Victoria as part of the benchmarking and consultation process.
By visiting other health and aged care services, the Project Control Group can observe operations firsthand, speak with staff, and learn from their experiences. This insight into what
works well, the challenges faced, and lessons learned will help guide informed decisions about the Model of Care (MOC) and future staffing profile.

Ms O’Connor said group representatives have travelled to Rumbalara Elders Facility in Shepparton, Mansfield Aged Care and Glenview at Rutherglen. They are heading to inspect two PSRACs projects in Cohuna and Camperdown in April.
“These visits are significant as all of the residential aged care facilities we are touring have been designed in line with the new Aged Care Design Principles, specifically, using a “household model,’ providing valuable opportunities to benchmark and learn from others. The household model is a residential aged care design that breaks larger facilities into household units, fostering a genuine home atmosphere and giving people more control over their routines, relationships and environment.”

She said NCN Health are eager to share detailed floor plans, 3D images and renderings with the community and stakeholders. However, The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority will hold off release of these materials until the building contract is confirmed and signed.
“This development will be a significant part of our community and NCN Health looks forward to sharing detailed floor plans, 3D images and artist impressions as soon as they become available. We know there is strong interest in seeing what the new facility will look like, and we’re just as excited to share those images, we’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support and interest from our community so far.”

Pictured:

 PSRACS Project Control Group members:

 Director of Operations Justin Sullivan, Graham Henderson, Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge Nurse Unit Manager Raj Kumahr, Karinya Nursing Home Nurse Unit Manager Kylie Darcy, Support Services Manager Kendra Hixon, Numurkah Director of Clinical Services Sophie Scott, Infection Control Coordinator Niki Vidler, OHS Officer Tania Fothergill, Volunteer Coordinator Jacquie Hughes, PSRACs Project Manager Bronti O’Connor and Maintenance Manager John Fothergill. Absent, Communications Coordinator Marissa Daly and community representatives Rosemary Kennett and Patrick Kempton.