01 August 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Estia Health acquires the Royal Freemasons Ltd aged care homes in Benalla and Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo:
Estia Health increases investment and commitment to regional Victoria
- Offers Estia Health residents more modern facilities with staff continuity
- No change for Royal Freemasons’ residents
- Valuable regional aged care jobs preserved
Estia Health and Royal Freemasons Ltd today announced that Estia Health will acquire the Royal Freemasons aged care homes in Benalla and Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo. It is expected that Estia Health will own and operate the homes from early October.
In late 2022, Royal Freemasons undertook a strategic review of its organisation and made the decision to rescale its operations. The divestment of its Benalla and Kangaroo Flat aged care homes is a result of that decision.
Sean Bilton, CEO Estia Health said, “We are proud to be part of both the Benalla and Bendigo communities and are delighted to be able to increase our commitment to regional Victoria through the management of an additional 150 residential aged care places.
“We see the opportunity to consolidate the Estia Health and Royal Freemason homes as the next stage in that long-term commitment. This will result in the relocation of residents and employees from existing Estia Health homes in Benalla and Long Gully (Bendigo) to the Royal Freemasons homes in Benalla and Kangaroo Flat (Bendigo), in coming months.
“Moving to the more modern homes is an opportunity to ensure that personalised quality residential aged care continues to be provided in these regional communities.
“Our residents will continue to receive the same quality care and services from the same Estia Health staff, who will join the current Royal Freemasons’ teams and residents in Benalla and Kangaroo Flat (Bendigo). This will also preserve valuable aged care jobs in regional areas”.
Senior Estia Health management will meet with Estia Health and Royal Freemasons residents, their families and employees during the week to talk through any questions they may have.
Estia Health’s Sean Bilton said “We recognise this a significant change for everyone in the homes, both at our current homes and the Royal Freemasons homes.
“We want to assure all residents and their families that they will continue to receive the same dedicated care and services from the same people that they always have,” he said.
“The individual needs of each resident at all homes will be carefully considered during the moves. We are focussed on minimising disruptions to daily routines and familiar environments.”
John Fogarty, CEO of Royal Freemasons said, “While we are sad to be saying farewell to our Benalla and Kangaroo Flat communities, we are confident that the residents will continue to receive high-quality, compassionate care from Estia Health.”
Estia Health’s Sean Bilton said, “We anticipate that the transition of residents to the new Estia Health homes may take up to two months following acquisition. When all our employees and residents are comfortably settled in their new homes, we will assess various options for the older properties, which may include sale or repurposing.”
On 1 August, 2023 Estia Health announced in conjunction with Royal Freemasons that Estia Health will acquire the Royal Freemasons aged care homes in Benalla and Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo. It is expected that Estia Health will own and operate the homes from early October 2023.
“We would like to thank all of the families and residents and assure them that they will continue to receive the same dedicated care and services from the people that they always have”, said Sean Bilton.
