Kingaroy to close

The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service have announced that the state-run Farr Home Aged Care Facility in Kingaroy will close.

Chairman Mike Horan (pictured) said the facility will not meet Federal Government fire safety requirements come September 2014, confirming that the last 16 public health beds for the aged in Kingaroy will go.

While no jobs will be lost, Queensland Nurses Union’s spokesperson Auriel Robinson said the closure of the home would have a significant effect on residents’ families.

The nearest facility is 40km away, a difficult journey for many. “The only way an elderly partner will be able to see them is relying on other relatives or taking a taxi,” she said.

Mr Horan said there was no immediate pressure on family members. “They have nearly two years to make a decision.”