Barrabill House officially opens its newly upgraded facilities, expanding its capacity to 40 residents. Photo: Faith Macale.
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Faith Macale
The Barrabill House in Seymour opened its new and improved facilities on Wednesday, July 3.
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The aged care service unveiled the $3.17 million upgrade that includes 10 new single rooms with ensuites and refurbished kitchen, dining, and lounge areas.
The new facilities have increased the capacity of the Barrabill House to 40 residents, meaning more older Victorians in the Goulburn Valley can now benefit from quality care closer to home.
Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt visits the residential rooms that overlooks the newly upgraded garden area. Photo: Faith Macale.
Photo by
Faith Macale
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes was present in the opening, along with Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt.
“To come back and see a project that I saw the infancy of, the reason that it was needed, it's a really proud moment,” Ms Symes said.
“I know that talking to residents today and Frank (resident) was glowing in his reviews of his new home.
“I double-checked with them like, ‘Is it your home?’ and he's like, ‘It's a great home, it feels like a home’.
“That's what you want for all residents, regardless of where they live in the state.”
The Barrabill House in Seymour is one of 171 Public Sector Residential Aged Care Service located across the state, offering Victorian an alternative to private aged care services.
“We’re modernising and upgrading infrastructure at our public residential aged care services right across Victoria, giving older Victorians the facilities they deserve,” Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas said.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes chats with Barrabill Resident Frank about his room. Photo: Faith Macale.
Photo by
Faith Macale
Ms Symes and Ms Stitt were shown Frank’s room where it boasts a spacious single room with a big back door that opens to the Barrabill House’s new garden and pavilion which was made possible with the additional $300,000 grant through the Department of Health’s Significant Facility Refurbishment.
“We know that ageing in place is so important for the well-being the emotional and social well-being of our elderly residents across the state,” Ms Stitt said.
“The care that they receive from all of the staff, not just the nursing staff, but also all of the team in catering, in personal care, in admin, everybody, just really adds to that high-quality care that we provide in Victoria.
“When you combine that great teamwork with a beautiful facility in the built environment, then you get the best of both worlds.
“I'm sure the families in the area are thrilled that their relatives and their loved ones are getting not only fantastic care from the staff, but it also in a beautiful environment so that they can age with dignity and still get that amazing high-quality care.”
The new facilities were deigned with the needs of people living with dementia in mind and are already enriching the lives of all residents with the benefits they offer.
“It was wonderful to see the residents of Barabill House enjoying the benefits of the new and upgraded facilities, and it is clear that they are already making a meaningful impact on their mental and physical health,” Ms Stitt said.
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