Yackandandah Health Members Vote to Join Apollo Care

At a special general meeting last night Yackandandah Health (YHL) members voted in favour of Apollo Care becoming the Approved Provider of its operations. Members voted to secure the long-term viability of the community’s aged care facility ‘Yamaroo’, its GP clinic and its ‘Little Yaks’ early learning centre.

Apollo Care’s CEO Stephen Becsi OAM said: “We’re committed to the success and longevity of all three services and to supporting excellent inter-generational care in the Yackandandah community.”

Following the acquisition, all staff, residents and children at YHL facilities will retain the same terms and conditions they currently enjoy. This includes 70 permanent and nine respite residents in Yamaroo, six residents in the independent living units, the families of 44 children at Little Yacks early learning centre, the regular users of its GP clinic, and YHL’s 140 employees.

“It will be ‘business-as-usual’ across all operations. Yackandandah Health Limited (YHL) – the community’s not-for profit entity – will continue to operate the three services while we progressively invest in staff, systems and buildings to upgrade services and improve governance.”

As the Approved Provider, Apollo Care will de-risk YHL by funding its operations and progressively investing in staff, systems and buildings. YHL’s Board Chair Patten Bridge is pleased its members have voted strongly in favour of the decision.

“Our priority has been to determine the best and most realistic solution which will place our valued services on a strong footing for the future.”

“We’re confident Apollo Care will ensure high-quality care is provided to residents. It has proven residential aged care management expertise plus the capital to improve the operations and resident amenity. Apollo Care can support expansion of the early learning centre and medical services.”

“Apollo Care understands the unique challenges of residential aged care in regional settings like ours, and it respects and values the role played by local communities in delivering essential care services.”

Stephen Becsi agrees: “We know that maintaining identity, purpose and connection to community is just as important as survival to the Yackandandah community. Our innovative operating and financial models will strengthen Yackandandah’s services while ensuring they retain their strong local community identity.”

Sitting alongside YHL, a new, not-for-profit Yackandandah Community Association (YCA) will be created to guarantee preservation of the Yackandandah community’s values, purpose and ethos. YCA has appointed two Yackandandah community members to sit on the YHL Board. In addition, YCA will appoint a member to sit on Apollo Care’s Community Advisory Board.

Yackandandah Health joins seven other facilities in alliance with Apollo Care: In NSW, Bundaleer (Wauchope), Charingfield (Waverley), Harden Grange (Harden) and Vincent Court (Kempsey); and in QLD, PresCare Alexandra Gardens (Rockhampton), PresCare Groundwater Lodge (Maryborough) and PresCare Yaralla Place (Maryborough).

Find out more about Apollo Care