In a bid to keep providing Lutheran aged care in South Australia, the Christian denomination's two largest Not For Profit providers are to merge and become Lutheran Homes Group, with the opportunity for smaller regional Lutheran operators to join in the future.
Combining LHI Retirement Services, which operates facilities at Glynde (pictured right) and Hope Valley, and Fullarton Lutheran Homes (pictured left), will create retirement living and care services for more than 1,100 residents and 680 staff.
“Aged care providers are under a lot of pressure, as last year’s Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report clearly demonstrated. In the current funding environment, organisations require scale to remain financially sustainable, and to allow them to continue delivering quality services that older Australians deserve. It made sense for LHI and FLH to come together,” said LHI Chair Mel Blondell.
There would be an opportunity for other smaller, regional SA Lutheran aged care facilities and retirement living providers to join the merged body.
Fullarton Lutheran Homes Board Chair Andrew Cannon said the new, larger entity will be able to employ specialists to help the organisation manage increasingly complex Government regulations and requirements.
“This will remove a burden from other staff who will be able to devote more of their time to their primary objective – caring for the most vulnerable people in our community.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to recruit caring and dedicated staff and the new entity will be better placed to attract and retain suitable, well-qualified staff; providing them with fulfilling careers and development opportunities.”
