Provider gives notice on remote services

Queensland Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service provider Gidgee Healing has announced it will cease management on three aged care homes in the Gulf of Carpentaria due to staffing and other pressures.

Gidgee Healing expanded into aged care services in January 2021 to provide culturally safe residential and home care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Doomadgee, Normanton and Mornington Island.  

This includes managing residential services Kuba Natha Hostel on Mornington Island and Kukatja Place in Normanton – which each have 15 beds – and the 10-bed home Ngooderi House in Doomadgee, under contract with the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Gidgee Healing announced this week it would cease its management of the three aged care facilities when the current contract ends on 30 June 2023.

It was not an easy decision to make but needed due to workforce and Covid-related pressures, a spokesperson told Australian Ageing Agenda in a statement.

“[It] has been necessary due to many circumstances outside the immediate control of Gidgee Healing, such as the Covid pandemic, chronic shortages of affordable workforce and inadequate staff infrastructure.

“Gidgee Healing continues to assist the [department] to ensure a successful transition process and is committed to keeping residents, their families and communities informed,” the spokesperson said.

Discussions are underway about the future of the aged care services, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Aged Care told AAA.

“The department, along with Gidgee Healing, is undertaking discussions with residents, their families, local councils, community organisations, and potential new providers. The department remains committed to working with Gidgee Healing and potential new providers to ensure continuity of care for older First Nations people in the Lower Gulf of Queensland,” the spokesperson said.

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