SA aged care, health and education hub officially opens

Healthia, ACH Group’s $40 million aged care, health, and education hub — featuring a residential care home and GP, nursing, and an allied health clinic — has officially opened.

The hub sits within the Playford Health and Wellbeing Precinct in Adelaide’s northern suburbs and was developed by the South Australian not-for-profit aged care provider. It brings together the University of South Australia, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) and City of Playford.

ACH Group’s 96-place residential care home has adopted a small household-built form comprising eight purpose-built single-storey houses in a village setting. The houses feature 12 self-contained resident rooms with ensuites; a large open plan living, kitchen and dining area; and features commonly found in traditional houses so residents can participate in the daily house activities.

NALHN will occupy 24 rooms within the care home to help transition older people from hospital to their home or more suitable accommodation.

The co-located UniSA Health Clinic, an integrated GP, nursing and allied health clinic, will provide services to residents and the surrounding local community with a combination of professional and lower-cost student-assisted services.

“The unique built form has taken into consideration what would be seen in someone’s own home to capture a homely environment and sense of familiarity for residents,” ACH Group CEO Frank Weits said. “The residential care home responds to a generation shift in expectations and the royal commission’s call to action to rethink aged care.

“We know most older people want to stay in their own homes; however, for many this is not possible due to increased care needs. What makes Healthia different is the person-directed care model and the unique built form.”

Professor Esther May, Pro Vice Chancellor of Teaching & Learning at UniSA, said the partnership is part of the university’s commitment to supporting educational opportunities, health services and the health workforce in the northern suburbs.

“As a registered NDIS provider, the clinic will provide additional adult and paediatric NDIS services in the northern suburbs. Nursing and allied health students will undertake placements in the residential care home and the clinic, providing them with vital practical learning experiences during their degree and preparing them for the health workforce.”