By CLARE HAYES
AN $18.75 million plan to build an aged care facility in Sherwood Rd will provide an extra 110 beds for Port Macquarie.
Uniting Care Ageing wants its proposed high-care nursing home and low-care hostel operating by 2010 and is waiting for approval from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to go ahead with construction.
The service's regional director, Anne Leeson, said the development would offer the community residential care options including dementia-specific and respite services.
"Our research shows there is a real need for this kind of service in the area and this is supported by planning data from the Department of Health and Ageing," Ms Leeson said.
"If the plans are approved, the facility will service up to 110 local residents and also provide employment opportunities for the community in a range of fields."
Uniting Care Ageing plans to demolish the warehouse behind the Uniting Church to make way for the project - the warehouse is used as a skating rink, but the skate park facilities will eventually move to the Sovereign Hills township.
Aged and Community Services Association chairman Dennis Marks said another aged-care facility would increase the number of aged care beds in the Hastings beyond 700.
There are seven nursing homes in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and the Camden Haven, he said, and a waiting list of patients in hospital demanding beds.
"Who knows what the demand will be in three years?" Mr Marks added.
"The aim of the industry is to maintain steady growth to satisfy demand รป the balance is to try to maintain viability for organisations."
While Mr Marks believes the proposed facility will add to services in the Hastings, he said managers must be aware of a skills shortage in the industry and the need to recruit an experienced workforce.
To do this, he suggests the industry should train people and make positions attractive financially so that it can retain staff.