Graeme Croft, founder of Signature Care, is about open his 14th residential aged care home in Wagga Wagga, NSW’s largest inland city.
“There is massive demand for new product,” he told The Weekly SOURCE.
His positive words are in stark contrast to the latest survey from StewartBrown which stated seven of 10 RACs are currently operating at a loss, with occupancy down to 91%.
“We have 120 confirmed for the 144 beds in Wagga and great interest in our next home in Singleton (NSW Hunter Valley), which we expect to open in March.”
A further 36 beds will be added in future, taking capacity up to 180 beds.
In addition, the provider is building four more RAC homes for a total 600 beds.
“We have sufficient staff to launch Wagga. We pay above the award, having amazing systems in place and are a good employer. Wagga has a nursing school where we have been proactively recruiting and people want to be part of the future of aged care.
“It’s a pretty good product and it is the future. We have taken staff from older nursing homes which do not have a future.
“With no competition, a provider can get by with old stock. But when a new competitor comes to town everyone wants to be part of it. There’s prestige to be working for Wagga Wagga Community Aged Care.”
