Mitchell House Joins the Respect Aged Care Group

Mitchell House in Morwell is the latest stand-alone aged care provider to join Respect’s portfolio of aged care facilities. The amalgamation of Mitchell House is the 15th site to join the aged care provider and accompanies the ranks of Respect’s six other facilities in Victoria including St John’s in Wangaratta, Tongala Memorial, Cohuna Village and Alcheringa in Swan Hill.

Due to the increasingly complex, competitive, and challenging aged care environment, the Board of Mitchell House has decided on the transfer to ensure the residential facility, including the Mitchell House Hostel and Independent Living Units, has the opportunity to thrive under a larger, specialist aged care organisation.

Mitchell House Board Chair, Dave Swainsbury cited Aged Care Royal Commission recommendations, departmental reforms, and current market forces as contributing factors to Mitchell House’s need for support in governance and streamlining processes.

“The Board and management of Mitchell House fully support the transfer to Respect who has a strong reputation for compassion and significant experience in delivering quality care in rural and regional areas. Being part of a larger organisation with greater capacity to invest in systems, staffing, and facilities will mean stronger aged care services for Morwell and its surrounding regions.”

“The numerous Royal Commission recommendations have significantly increased compliance costs and expectations and as a stand-alone, independent and small aged-care service it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet operational requirements which have hindered our ability to keep up with the ever-changing industry environment.”

“We believe that a larger-scale organisation like Respect can bring the support and funding necessary to continue the excellent quality of care that we provide to the Morwell community through Mitchell House. This is coupled with Respect’s expertise and understanding of rural and regional communities and aged care facilities.”

“The change will not adversely impact the residents who live at Mitchell House. Our number one priority is to ensure our residents continue to receive the highest quality care in the best possible accommodation, and our next highest priority is that our staff continue to be treated well.” Mr Swainsbury added.

Managing Director of Respect, Jason Binder spoke of the opportunities available to Mitchell House after joining Respect.

“The reality of the aged care industry at this point is that smaller, independent facilities are struggling to stay on top of the changing quality standards and requirements placed on them since the Aged Care Royal Commission. As a large provider of aged care facilities, we have the resources and the expertise to survive the industry pressures whilst retaining the community goodwill of regional aged care organisations, which is a significant factor in any of these situations.”

“We’re excited at the prospect of Mitchell House joining Respect and look forward to providing the systems, support and funding needed to ensure residents and staff at Mitchell House continue to thrive.”

“Our mission has always been to care for the elderly in our communities in an environment of respect, value and belonging, and we are looking forward to building on and extending this philosophy of compassionate care at Mitchell House. We strive to be progressive and innovative leaders in the aged care industry, by creating environments where people enjoy living and our staff are proud to work.” Mr Binder said.