Staff shortages continue to be a concerning nationwide issue in aged care, and things in WA are no different.
For regional aged care and health care providers in tourist areas, it’s hard enough to attract workers let alone adding in the additional challenge of a tight long-term rental housing market.
In response, Capecare, a leading non-profit aged care provider in WA’s South West, has created a novel and creative way to take some pressure off both the staff and long term housing availability challenges by temporarily converting some of its cottage respite accommodation and office spaces into staff accommodation.
Agency nurses and care staff from Perth can now stay on site at Capecare in Busselton in their own bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and enjoy shared communal facilities, just steps away from the beautiful Geographe Bay beach.
Enrolled nurse Alana works for a Perth-based nursing agency which provides her with an opportunity to work around Western Australia.
She says her new work environment at Capecare gave her and her colleagues a great sense of balance during what is one of the most demanding times in her career.
“I love it here,” Alana says.
“It’s one of the best facilities I’ve worked in. The staff are all friendly and super accommodating.”
Capecare has 14 staff bedrooms available in the Busselton facility’s original residential care building, which has since been refitted and extended.
“The beach is right next to us and I spend the majority of my mornings there before I start my shift,” she says.
“The town is amazing, too.”
The living quarters have cosy and bright shared living spaces with TVs and lounges, plus a shared commercial kitchen and kitchenettes for staff to use in their downtime.
“I do feel like I’m at home, and making a lot of great friends, there’s a lot of lovely people who work down here,” Alana says.
“I’m in the process of buying a house in Perth, so I’m close enough to drive back there when I need to.
“Working remotely also provides an amazing opportunity to grow your career and earn some extra money and at the moment there’s plenty of demand,” she says.
Capecare has a number of skilled and unskilled positions currently available, which can be viewed here Capecare.com.au, or email hr@capecare.com.au for more information.
