The first sod has been turned on ACH Group’s new $40 million health and education hub in Adelaide, which will feature a 96-bed aged care community.

Healthia (above, artist’s render), adjacent to the Lyell McEwin Hospital within the Playford Health Precinct, is a project by ACH Group in conjunction with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN), the University of South Australia, and the City of Playford.

Built over 15,000 square metres, Healthia will include eight homes of 12 rooms each, built deliberately to limit the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19; UniSA will operate a publicly-accessible co-located general practice and student-led allied health clinic on the site, with students also undertaking placements in the RAC home.

According to ACH Group CEO Frank Weits (right, far right), the development will improve health and lifestyle outcomes in northern Adelaide, and “reimagine” residential aged care.

“The Royal Commission favoured the small-scale household model for residential care as the home-like design promotes better quality of life for residents especially people living with dementia.

“Healthia has been designed around a village model. Within each home there are spaces you typically see in every house, including a kitchen for residents to prepare and cook meals in, and a dining room and living area to come together in,” he said.

Healthia is expected to see its first residents by June 2023.