TLC Healthcare have just awarded the contract to build a 10-level integrated residential aged care home and community health hub at Clifton Hill, and construction will start this month (December 2016).
The $40m development will include a residential aged care facility (RACF) with 126 beds, dining rooms, parking and outdoor areas. The ground floor will house a medical centre, pharmacy, allied health services and pathology collection centre, as well as a cafe.
A short-term restorative care unit is also planned (subject to Aged Care Approvals Round [ACAR]). The Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme aims to optimise th wellbeing older people by reversing of slowing functional decline.
In the local area, there are about 5,000 people aged over 65 years and 580 resident care places in the area which, according to TLC, is "significantly deficient".
“The high-rise model of aged care is the only commercially viable option for highly-developed areas such as Clifton Hill. Developments of this kind also provide us with the opportunity to incorporate healthcare services that benefit both our residents and the wider community. The Clifton Hill location is also within easy access of nearby acute care facilities” said Mr Lou Pascuzzi, CEO of TLC.
The contract was awarded to Kane Constructions and the facility, located at 217-241 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, Melbourne is scheduled to be operational in early 2018.
TLC state that their philosophy of integrating residential aged care homes, primary care medical centres and industry training is a first for Australia.