PHO purchase saves Heritage Home from certain closure

The Heritage Rest Home, in Olympus Rd, Wellsford, has been saved from closure by an 11th hour takeover by Coast to Coast PHO.

It is understood that the Auckland owners intended to close the doors last month because the home was running at a loss and occupancy rates were continuing to fall.

PHO chief executive Nancy Malloy said that after due diligence, the PHO decided to go ahead with the purchase of the lease and licence. The sale took affect on August 28.

“The rest home is an important part of community health care and services,” Nancy says. “Over the next few months, we will audit the services that the home provides, consulting with a range of groups and individuals, and assessing how we can best meet community needs. This is a new area for us so we need to spend time understanding the type of care the community is looking for.”

Since the PHO purchase, the number of occupants has already increased from seven to 10, with a further three enquiries. The home is licensed for 17.
“The residents are happy and well-cared for, and one has been at the home for about 10 years.”

Respite care, which allows those caring for an elderly partner or relative to have time-off, tis an area that the PHO intends to look more closely at during its audit of services. People are increasingly being supported to be able to stay in their homes as they age, but there is still a need to provide their carers with support.
The home employs 12 staff, including part-timers, and Nancy did not foresee any changes in the interim.

“The home has been running at a loss so there is a need to change the model. It could be that we re-orientate the home to bring other services for the elderly on board.”

The purchase has a certain de javu quality to it. In 2003, the PHO took over the Wellsford Birthing Unit, which was also facing closure. It is now being run successfully.

Coast to Coast Health Care operates six medical clinics in Rodney and Kaipara, and the PHO recently opened the Te Whariki Teitei Centre, in School Road, a centre of health care excellence.

At 95, Maud Robinson, left, is the Heritage Rest Home’s oldest resident. She is pictured with manager Sue Rickey and Murray Gray, who moved into the Wellsford home last month.