WITH the community of Bulahdelah devastated at the closure of the Anglican Care Cedar Wharf Lodge nursing home, they are still seeking answers.

The question as to what will happen to the nursing home, which the community fund raised to build, remains under a cloud.

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Anglican Care bought the home from the local community for the princely sum of $1 with the community under the belief that their nursing home would be run professionally and well into the future.

Just a handful of years later Anglican Care has decided to close the facility.

On March 15 hundreds of locals attended a meeting at the Bulahdelah School of Arts hall, appealing to the Bishop of Newcastle and Anglican Care president Peter Stuart to reverse the decision to close the nursing home.

Karl Attenborough, Federal Greens Candidate for Lyne, attended the community meeting.

One question still to be answered was ‘what will happen to the property?’.

“One speaker asked Bishop Stuart had there been any evaluations made by developers/real estates on the site of the Lodge.

“Bishop Stuart’s response was ‘No, not at this stage!’.

Mr Attenborough said, “The people of Lyne deserve better.”

“The Greens believe quality aged care is a right and should be run on a not-for-profit basis.

“The Greens will fight to make corporations pay their fair share of tax so we can invest in our health system to ensure the delivery of quality aged care.”

News Of The Area put a series of questions to the Bishop however at this stage these have gone unanswered.

Nigel Cottingham, Director Brand, Marketing and Communications for Newcastle Anglican Church did respond with the following, “Anglican Care has offered to work with a group of community leaders as they explore with local, State, and Federal governments the best means of supporting aged members of this community and those people living with a disability.

“Our service review confirmed that ready access to dementia care and the need for personal space and privacy – specifically, the need for a facility where residents do not need to share rooms – is not an achievable state under the current conditions and funding model at Cedar Wharf Lodge.”

Mr Cottingham went on to say, “At the community meeting a few weeks back, Dr Stuart emphasised the importance of the community groups, agencies, and government working together to find effective solutions for supporting people with disability or as they age.

“Anglican Care is committed to working in partnership to create good outcomes.

“He emphasised the importance of government partnerships in that work which will require much increased flexibility on current government models.

“However, as you will be aware from last night’s budget announcement, the Government has not inspired confidence in this area and does not appear to be addressing critical needs in aged care funding.

“There is a major change in funding models due in September and the industry is waiting to see the modelling and assess the impact.

“There is no realistic capital funding for the refurbishment of existing but tired facilities.

“There is no clear government plan for supporting smaller communities,” he said.

By Marian SAMPSON