The Not For Profit provider, which has just closed three Sydney aged care facilities forcing 200 residents to find new homes, has revealed that it applied for Government assistance last year, but was rejected.

Rev Stu Cameron, Wesley Mission’s CEO, told The SOURCE they applied for a grant under the ‘Business Improvement Fund for Residential Aged Care – Round 2’, but were told in July 2022 that their application had been unsuccessful.

We reached out to Wesley Mission about the size and purpose of the grant sought, however they said they do not generally comment on details of funding applications made

Stu said it was an “extraordinarily difficult decision” deciding to close the homes in Sydney’s Carlingford, Narrabeen and Sylvania.

Residents are already beginning to move to their new homes, he said, with local providers reaching out offering both accommodation and jobs for staff.

Media reports claimed Wesley Mission failed to inform the Department of Health and Aged Care before the closures were announced.

“This was an error on our part,” Stu conceded. “Whilst we informed them as soon as we recognised our oversight, we have apologized sincerely to the Department for failing to do so beforehand.”