Southern Grampians Shire Council continues to work with Western District Health Service (WDHS) towards the smooth transition of Aged Care services, with a range of job opportunities now on offer for qualified staff.
Community Support Worker positions are currently being advertised on the WDHS website, to deliver high-quality aged care services to vulnerable residents across the region.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Cr Bruach Colliton said while Council’s focus throughout the transition has been on the wellbeing of clients and supporting staff, it has also worked closely with WDHS to ensure continuity of service, and is supporting the hospital in its recruitment of skilled aged care workers.
“From the very beginning, Council has been committed to finding the best possible solution for the ongoing delivery of aged care services for our community,” said Cr Colliton. “The Commonwealth Government appointed WDHS to take over the service and as a local provider, we know they are well placed to understand and fulfil the needs of our community.
“As a part of the process to transition the service from Council to WDHS, Council has supported its impacted staff with several information sessions. During these discussions, staff have identified their desire to either retire, seek other opportunities in Council, or apply for new employment in the aged care service at WDHS.
“WDHS are now recruiting skilled Community Support Workers, so I encourage anyone who has ever considered a career in aged care to contact WDHS for more information on how you can join the team,” concluded Cr Colliton.
Western District Health Service Chief Executive Rohan Fitzgerald said the Health Service is doing it’s very best to recruit to these important frontline roles.
“Although this is in one of the tightest labour markets in the last 50 years, we have made considerable progress with our recruitment campaign,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“As one of the largest employers and providers of aged care services in the region, WDHS is well placed to deliver these programs. We have a strong track record of supporting our community, and this program fits well with our strategic vision of ‘creating Australia’s healthiest rural community’.
To learn more, or to apply for one of the positions on offer, candidates can visit wdhs.net
Mr Fitzgerald said he recently had the pleasure of meeting with Southern Grampians Shire staff interested in transitioning across to WDHS.
“I was impressed by their commitment and dedication to their customers and openness to working through the change process. There is always uncertainty with change, and we understand some customers might be a little anxious about the future. Even though there are some challenges, I am sure we will overcome these, as we have done in the past.
“We are looking forward to this new chapter and supporting over 30 new team members and 370 customers to transition to WDHS. This is not a small undertaking, and has required the skill of a dedicated team working behind the scenes at WDHS and Council. Thank you to those who are supporting the transition process. The planning and structures that have been put in place give me great confidence that the program will be a success,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Council confirmed the in-principle decision at the March 2022 Council Meeting to transition from delivering community support services after Federal Government changes would impact Council’s ability to continue to deliver high-level care without passing on costs to clients.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which funds home support and community-based services for clients over 65 years, will transition to WDHS by 1 October 2022. The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP), which supports those under 65 years, transitioned on 30 June 2022.