As of January 29, a new era started at the former Feros Aged Care Village in Byron Bay, with St Andrew’s Village Ballina Ltd assuming management of the Marvell Street facility.
New staff took on their first shifts at what the few remaining residents have renamed ‘George’s Cottages’, in honour of Byron Bay resident, George Feros, who tirelessly advocated for the facility.
In October 2022, a site audit by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner found elderly residents were subjected to substandard care by Feros Care across every aspect of the service. While the Feros board defended their management, they announced in February 2023 they planned to redevelop the site, partly on Crown Land, into an ‘intergenerational facility’, which required existing residents to leave.
After a long, hard-fought campaign, the NSW government intervened and held an expression of interest process to manage the facility. Feros Care did not apply.
New era
The federal Department of Health and Aged Care and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have approved St Andrew’s maintenance of the existing 40-aged care beds, with former Feros residents understood to have been invited back.
St Andrew’s Chief Executive Officer, Todd Yourell, said in a media release that seven residents were already on site, and another three residents per week would be brought in from February 6. He said plans were ‘well underway to spend nearly $3m upgrading the existing cottages, and key staff were being recruited’.
‘We are already receiving referrals and intending to admit three residents each week, including some former residents wishing to return. We will also assist people over 65 at risk of homelessness by making it affordable,’ Mr Yourell said, ‘and will be using some rooms where we can for respite care as there is a huge need for that’.
Applications for placements are open – contact the admissions manager on 02 6620 5800 or email [email protected].
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