Bushland Health Group Limited

A Short History of the Organisation

Bushland Place Nursing Home (August 1982 - October 2008)

During 1976 the Federal/State Co-ordinating Committee approved a 33 bed Nursing Home for Bushland Place. A special fund raising appeal was launched and as a result of the public support the General Committee was able to convince the Government that a 40 bed Nursing Home could be financed and the additional seven approvals were granted.

Planning and construction programs were introduced immediately and in August 1982 the Bushland Place 40 bed Nursing Home was opened.

When the Karingal Nursing Home in Manning Street was sold the 47 beds were added to the Bushland Place Nursing Home giving a total of 87 beds on and from the 12th March, 1988.

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Karingal Gardens (Nursing Home) from October 2008

The 89 residents of the Bushland Place Nursing Home transferred to the new 100 bed Karingal Gardens on the 27th/28th and 29th October 2008. On land just 300 metres from the bushland Place Village.

The new Karingal Gardens fully complies with the Certification requirements for residential care (high) as set by the Department of Health and Ageing.

The facility provides 100 spacious single bed wards with direct access to the residents ensuite, numerous common rooms and the advantage of 4 x 10 dementia specific care units if required to produce the best possible environment for each and every residents.

The landscaped and partly secured grounds and panoramic view of the City's recreation area provide an ideal setting for residents, their relatives and friends during their stay in the home.

Bushland Place Hostel

During 1978 the Committee received a Commonwealth Government Grant and subsequently let a contract for the construction of a 44 bed hostel within the retirement village.

This grant was provided through the Department of Social Security which was totally involved in attempting to provide adequate facilities to care for the aged. The grant for the hostel, which was in excess of $750,000, was for the construction, site works and part furnishing of the project.

The hostel was occupied on 5th January, 1980 and provides spacious living quarters for 43 residents. The design of the hostel provides accommodation which meets the physical, social and medical needs of the resident.

Bushland Place, Jacaranda Ave and Jarrah Place Villa Units

In addition to the 54 villa units which are situated on the Bushland Place site, the Organisation has 38 villa units on a separate site at Jacaranda Avenue and Jarrah Place.

Kitchen And Laundry Services

At the closing down of the Karingal facility, the central kitchen and laundry service being provided from that site were re-established at Bushland Place in an area between the hostel and nursing home with a separate service entry between the buildings.

The kitchen facility established at that time is of the highest quality, as are the 1000 meals provided daily from that facility. In February, 1991 the Organisation expanded its laundry services and now undertakes its own linen service.

Administration Centre, Staff Centre & Chapel

The original plans and models of the proposed Bushland Place Village indicated that in the long term the Administration Centre, the Staff Centre and the Chapel would be in the approximate location they are today.

The buildings, which were officially opened and dedicated in a ceremony on 21st July, 1991 provide the perfect operational link to the hostel, kitchen and laundry facilities, all of which can be reached on one level under one roof.

Banyula Village, Old Bar

This project had building work commence in July/August 1993 and the first villa units were occupied during January 1994.

1. Villa Units

There are 50 villa units in the Banyula Village complex at Old Bar. All units are or have been occupied during the life of the village and the village has proved to provide a very acceptable relaxed lifestyle for those residents who have taken up occupation.

The activities within the Village, are concentrated around the Village Centre, which forms the lower level of the Serviced Apartments block, where activities such as carpet bowls, table tennis, billiards, craft mornings, fashion parades, church services and general meetings are held.

The Residents Committee, which organises and takes responsibility for the Village Centre also takes the opportunity from time to time to become involved in the organisation of activities external to the site including dinners and visits to places of interest.

2. Serviced Apartments

As June 2004 there are eight (8) apartments on site at Old Bar. All apartments are single bedrooms with kitchen, bathroom/laundry facilities within the apartment with the availability of general laundry facilities, lounge, dining and kitchen facilities within the central unit specifically provided for these eight (8) apartments.

The prices are developed around the cost of the apartments and the incoming resident has the ability to choose the level of services supplied to their specific apartment during their period of residency.

For example, residents may enter the apartments and at that time require no more services than the village unit resident, in those cases the fees are 22.5% of the single aged pension. However, if due to deterioration of health or physical ability a resident needs assistance with care programs, meals programs or cleaning programs, packages can be purchased to improve and reinforce the resident's lifestyle situation.

3. Village Centre

The Village Centre is the lower level under the serviced apartments. This provides an ideal meeting place for residents for any activities they wish to organise. The management of the village centre is left to a sub-committee of residents who confirms priorities with the Board of Directors as and when there needs to be such interaction.

4. Lodge 40-Bed

Banyula Lodge has 40 suites and opened for its first residents in June 2001. The lodge has been designed so as to allow future expansion which could include a further 30 to 40 Low (Hostel) and/or High Care (Nursing Home) beds