Dimboola’s community-owned aged care facility, Allambi, will close in February after the model of small residences with personalised care was deemed to be financially unsustainable.
With only 11 residents, the number of registered nurses required to care for the residents under new legislation made the home financially unviable, according to a report by the ABC.
Local residents have banded together to oppose the closure, and a petition has garnered 700 signatures in a week.
The member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster (pictured), said the reformed aged care standards are not working in the regions.
“Often these decisions are made without really an understanding of the consequences and the outcomes,” Dr Webster said.
Dimboola resident John Combrink said the legislation was “alright for Melbourne and Geelong but not for small communities like Dimboola.”
The town is shocked and upset by the announcement the home will close, John said.
“This facility has been running for so long and it’s one of the nicest clinics and all the staff and the people are very happy to be here,” he said.
Dimboola is the most recent in an increase in the number of regional aged care homes closing.
