Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains has revealed plans to axe its home care program.
After operating in western Sydney for 30 years as an Approved Commonwealth Support Provider, Catholic Care will cease its Commonwealth Home Support Program effective Friday, June 28 2024.
Clients of Catholic Care receiving in home assistance received a letter last week to inform them the program was ceasing.
“The decision to close our services has not been an easy one and comes after careful consideration of various factors, including aged care reforms, increasing compliance requirements and access to aged care clinical expertise,” the Catholic Care letter sent to clients said.
Long time Colyton resident and cancer survivor, Terry Gallaway, has been utilising some of the home support services and said it is disconcerting to see the program being ceased.
“It was an absolute shock and very disconcerting because while we are very minor players in it, with housekeeping, we want to stay in our own home,” Gallaway said.
“We’ve had this house for 50 years and we want to stay here.”
Gallaway predicts that his family will not be the only ones affected by this.
“30 years ago it [Catholic Care home service] started in western Sydney,” Gallaway said.
“There would be hundreds if not thousands of people from Parramatta to the Blue Mountains affected by this.”
Catholic Care confirmed with the Weekender that they will cease the program in the middle of the year.
“It is with great sadness, that at this time, Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains has had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Home Support Program, funded by the Department of Social Services. As the majority of Catholic Care’s funding comes from the government, we have had to work within those constraints which are becoming more challenging including aged care reforms, increasing compliance requirements and access to aged care clinical expertise,” a spokesperson for Catholic Care said.
“After exhausting all other options, we have made the tough decision to withdraw from this service. We are working with each client to support a smooth transition to a new service provider and ensure their needs are met during this period and beyond as we understand the importance of continuity of support and services each of our clients requires. For example, where possible, we will move support workers with our clients to the new service provider.
“Catholic Care will continue to provide its ongoing support to the elderly within the many other services we provide including services to families, at-risk young people, people fleeing domestic violence and abuse, the homeless and marginalised, those in hospitals and prisons and more. It is our privilege to support and care for our many clients in western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.”
For those affected by this and seeking a new provider visit http://www.myagedcare.gov/find-a-provider to find services.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.