Family owned, multi-award-winning aged care provider, Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group, is on the expansion trail in NSW, with a new $70 million facility and plans to increase the number of beds in its 13 aged care homes in the state from the current 700 to 1000 beds.
The 30-year-old group owned by the Hall and Prior families, currently owns and operates 30 aged care homes worth $650 million across Australia and has a long-term strategy of expanding in the current and future consolidation of the sector.
Hall & Prior’s latest augmentation is the opening of a world class luxury aged care facility in the fast-growing Georges River area in southern Sydney.
The new 111-bedroom Georges Estate Health & Aged Care Residence, located in Penshurst, opened on Monday and is an example of the group’s mission to become a fully integrated part of the community it serves, by opening up its wide range of amenities to the general public.
The new facility has BBQ areas, a gymnasium, private dining room and cinema and includes a Wellness Centre, which provides physiotherapy, restorative care and exercise rehabilitation, along with a specialist health clinic, swimming pool and gym, all available for use by the community.
The home will also generate 150+ new jobs for the region in the aged care workforce.
Hall & Prior CEO Graeme Prior says Georges Estate represents the culmination of the company’s experience in designing innovative residences with all of the features of a luxury hotel.
“Our community model reflects the fact that aged care homes are beneficiaries of public funds and should be part of the communities they serve,” he says.
Hall & Prior established its first aged care facility, St Lukes in Subiaco, Perth in 1986 and its first home in Sydney, Vaucluse in 2005.
The organisation now employs 2100 professional and specialist staff who care for 1500 older Australians at their residential aged care homes, plus an extra 1000 people through its home care program in WA.
“COVID-19 has created enormous brand damage for the aged care sector and the industry will need to use 2022 to stabilise our operations and then re-build public confidence before we grow further,” Prior added.
“Australia’s aged care homes have had the lowest fatality rates of residents of any country in the world during the pandemic and we need to build on that strong performance with a long-term value strategy.”
A key element at Georges Estate is the requirement for all staff to be fully vaccinated.
Residents and visitors are also encouraged to get the jab, with rapid testing in place and a nurse onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Health and infection safeguards are a key ingredient in the operations of Hall & Prior and we will build on these controls for the future, while presenting a completely new model of aged care facilities,” Prior says.
“Keeping our residents and staff safe is our number one priority.
“With the ongoing support of the Georges River Council, Georges Estate will provide better outcomes for local residents and the wider community in a safe, comfortable and convenient location, as well as home care for those who wish to remain in their residences.”
Part of the new model also includes spacious and luxurious bedrooms and suites, a private guest room and dining room for family stays and functions, catered by an in-house chef and culinary team who prepare fresh meals, snacks and beverages on a daily basis, catering for all cultures, tastes and dietary requirements.
Visit georgesestate.com.au for more information.
