Cronulla MP Malcolm Kerr today called on the Minister for Health to support the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Healthcare Services Plan 2010-2015 in its report that no changes are planned for the Garrawarra Centre.

The Plan, released last month has recognised the importance of the Garrawarra Centre at Waterfall in stating that it will continue to support the State in dementia specific aged care.

The Plan’s aim is stated as to best meet the challenges of the future and deliver high quality care that is safe, effective and focussed on the patient experience.  It aims to provide a clear direction for the delivery of health services over the next five years and recognises the important statewide services the acute hospitals and facilities in the Area provide.

The Garrawarra Centre at Waterfall is one of those facilities and the Plan states that there are no changes for the Garrawarra Centre.

Prepared by a Strategy Planning Group comprising clinical leaders, members of the Area Executive and the Area Health Advisory Council, this is great news for families of dementia patients and the wider community that have spoken out loud and clear against the State Government’s plan to sell Garrawarra.

The Garrawarra Centre houses high care dementia patients, many of whom exhibit aggressive and challenging behaviours and have been referred to Garrawarra by other nursing homes. Its staff specialise in the safety, management and care of people in the end stages of dementia and work closely with the residents’ families and friends to ensure the highest possible quality of life.  It is also a centre of learning for aged care and mental health for nurses, doctors and other medical professionals.

“I now call on the Minister for Health to endorse the Plan’s support for the retention of Garrawarra Centre to continue to support NSW in dementia care and end the uncertainty and worry that has existed over the proposed sale” Mr Kerr concluded.