Update on closure of Mercy Services residential aged care and transition of other services to new operators
- 6 February 2025 -
On 30 October 2024, the Board of Mercy Services advised that it had made the difficult decision to permanently withdraw from the Mercy Services ministry in Newcastle and Singleton.
This included the closure of the residential aged care facility in Singleton, anticipated during the first quarter of 2025, and the proposed transfer of the Home Care and Community Transport businesses and the Alcohol and Other Drug service.
Following is an update on the process in relation to each service.
Home Care and Community Transport services
As previously communicated, both the Home Care and Community Transport services will continue to operate . It is with great pleasure that we can now confirm that we have found a preferred, like-minded provider for both services. Once details are finalised, further work will be required to secure regulatory approval for the transition. This process may take some months, but we will provide further certainty as soon as an update is available.
We anticipate that these services will continue to operate without disruption through this process.
Alcohol and Other Drug Service
MacKillop Family Services has confirmed its interest in taking over the Alcohol and Other Drug service to continue to grow its presence in Newcastle. Mercy Services and MacKillop are working to secure the necessary regulatory approvals for the transition.
We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we work through these transitions.
Singleton residential aged care
Over the past few months, Mercy Services has been working with our residential aged care residents, their families and carers to find new homes for residents. Staffing levels have also been reduced in line with these lower numbers.
The home is now running at less than half-occupancy. Based on the rate of resident transfers, and that all residents have now been clinically waitlisted to other facilities, we are now planning for a closure date at the end of March 2025.
We have urged all residents waitlisted for a placement elsewhere in Singleton, who haven’t yet been offered a place, to now consider their second and third preferences for an ongoing or interim home. We are also encouraging residents to obtain ‘waitlisted’ status of their preferred facilities prior to 17 February. After this date, it will become difficult for other accommodation providers to know with any certainty whether a place will become available in time for the planned closure date.
For further information regarding the closure of Mercy Services and Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
Mercy Services Main Reception: (02) 4962 6680
Mercy Services Residential Aged Care: (02) 6572 2499