The announcement comes 18 months after the idea was first floated in 2016 and makes the group one of the largest aged care and home care Not For Profits in Australia.
The merger will expand the two Catholic providers’ aged and home care footprint to almost 3,000 people in 35 aged care homes, more than 8,500 home and community care clients and 409 retirement living units and apartments.
Mercy Health Group Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Professor Stephen Cornelissen said their goal was to grow a more sustainable organisation.
Southern Cross Care (Vic)’s 12 aged care homes have been rebranded to Mercy Place homes with each retaining recognition of the Southern Cross Care (Vic) heritage. Home care services will continue under the Southern Cross Care (Vic) brand for the time being.
Victoria has been the odd man out in the Southern Cross national network which has been working towards a national brand and force, being very strong in all other states. Southern Cross was created and is managed by volunteers, the Knights of the Southern Cross.
The Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross is a national organisation of Catholic laymen who operate with the support of the Australian Bishops. Autonomous Branches of the Order operate in each Australian State. Guided by the virtues of prudence, faith, justice, fortitude and temperance in all its charitable works, it aims to serve the wider community.
