Several parties express interest in sanctioned Lithgow facility

The administrators in charge of operations at Lithgow Aged Care are exploring several expressions of interest from buyers, a spokesperson has told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Lithgow Aged Care, which is about 150 kilometres from Sydney in the Central Tablelands, appointed Ernst and Young (EY) as voluntary administrators on 16 March to address the company’s immediate solvency concerns.

The facility, which has 68 residents and 125 staff, was sanctioned by the quality regulator on 18 December after failing to meet six of the eight standards during a site audit in October.

A performance audit in January found the facility non-compliant in all eight standards.

As part of its role to address the company’s immediate solvency concerns, EY said it would ensure residents receive appropriate care and assess whether the facility could be sold as a going concern.

“A number of parties have expressed interest in Lithgow Aged Care and the administrators will explore all options,” EY said in a statement.

If a sale is unviable, EY said it would work with residents, authorities and alternate providers to ensure an orderly relocation of residents.

EY said it was liaising with aged care authorities and industry bodies in relation to residents’ needs and contacting residents and their families about the current situation.

“EY has confirmed that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff wages and monies owed to residents in respect of Residential Accommodation Deposits and Bonds will be provided for,” EY said.

“EY has also engaged specialist aged care experts to work with individual residents and their families to ensure that adequate resources are available to residents and their families during this difficult period.”

As a result of the October audit, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission decided on 8 December not to re-accredit the facility.

The facility’s accreditation will expire on 16 April.

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