The streamlining of operations at two Cromwell aged care facilities will result in job losses and a reduction of caregiver hours.

Several administrative and management jobs at both Ripponvale and Golden View Lifestyle villages have been displaced by the new owners Promisia Healthcare, as it moved to streamline its operations.

The Christchurch-based company acquired both villages for $33million, taking over operations in August.

Promisia currently operates other aged care facilities in Ranfurly, Feilding, Christchurch and Dannevirke.

In a recent letter to families of residents, executive director Craig Percy said unfortunately, as they centralised administration and management oversight back to its Christchurch support office, there have been some staff losses.

There were systemic issues with the way that Health NZ funded aged care in New Zealand, he said.

“The sector is dramatically underfunded; however, our services are in high demand and therefore we need to make our service delivery sustainable. Excellence in quality care and safety remain our priority.”

Registered nursing hours would be increasing at Ripponburn and staying the same at Goldenview, and catering services would be merged.

Ripponburn Hospital and Home will be operated together with Golden View under new owners Promisia. FILE SHOT 

A total of 110 caregiver hours would be cut at Goldenview to make the business more sustainable, and single person transfers would be used where appropriate, rather than two staff members, except for when using hoists.

The activities programmes were also being reduced across both facilities with support from caregivers, the letter stated.

However, in response to questions from The Central App, Craig said through natural attrition and the redesign of rosters, they did not envisage there would be a material loss of frontline roles.

“There will be a reduction of four administration and management roles across the two facilities. The Christchurch support office will provide additional administration and resources aimed at streamlining processes and clinical care across the Cromwell facilities.”

In the coming weeks, further discussions would be held with staff aimed at finalising the allocation of hours and rosters, Craig said.

Golden View was a 79-bed care facility that included a specialist dementia unit and 19 serviced apartments; and 102 independent living units with a communal facilities building and amenities area. 

Construction of the village was completed in 2021 and the care facility in 2022. Across the road was Ripponburn with just 16 independent living villas and a 46-bed care facility. 

Construction of the villas was completed in 2016, with recent improvements made to the village site and roadways. 

The care facility building was built in the 1930s and was near the end of its useful life, with the company looking to expand onsite, including new accommodation and further investment in specialised dementia care.

According to statistics, Cromwell has 20 per cent of its population aged over 65, and the number of people living with dementia was expected to increase from around 70,000 today to almost 170,000 by 2050. 

Many of these people would require specialised residential care and support, and Golden View is the only village offering specialised dementia care in Cromwell.

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