Housing respite for agency staff

Non-profit aged care provider Capecare in Western Australia has converted some of its Ray Village respite cottages in Busselton into staff accommodation.

Non-profit aged care provider Capecare in Western Australia has converted some of its Ray Village respite cottages in Busselton into staff accommodation.

The initiative was implemented to combat staff shortages and to tackle the challenge for workers to find long-term rental property in the popular tourist destination.

Capecare is hoping that the new staff quarters – just steps away from Geographe Beach – will attract agency nurses and care staff from Perth and provide them with an environment in which to relax during a stressful time in the aged care sector.  

Capecare ageny staff (from left) Alana, Evelyn, Vida and Ramadani

Alana is a nurse working for a Perth-based agency which provides her with shifts around WA. She said the Busselton surroundings offer her chilled downtime during one of the most demanding times in her career.

“The beach is right next to us, and I spend the majority of the mornings there before I start my shift,” said Alana. “The town is amazing too.”

The Busselton facility has recently been refitted and expanded. Nurses and care staff have the use of their own bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. There’s also kitchenettes for staff to use in their free time. “I do feel like I’m at home,” said Alana. “I love it here. It’s one of the best facilities I’ve worked in.”

Main image: Capecare Ray Village agency staff (from left) Vida, Alana, Evelyn and Ramadani take to the beach in Busselton

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Tags: busselton, capecare, respite, staff shortages, wa,

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