SINGLETON'S Mercy Services nursing home is closing down after 40 years forcing the relocation of 38 residents.
The closure was likely to occur in early 2025 but the community has been reassured that services will be maintained until all residents have found new homes.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (October 30) the board of directors of Mercy Services Limited described a challenging environment leading to years of financial difficulties.
"Due to the home's small scale, the changes in regulations that have made it increasingly difficult for small charity-based operators to remain viable, and the ever-increasing cost of maintaining and upgrading a building that was built for a different era," the statement said.
"Over the coming months, we will work with our residential aged care residents, their families and carers to find new homes for residents.
"The Board of Mercy Services is committed to maintaining services at the facility until all residents have been found suitable new homes."
Earlier this year the closure of Wallsend Aged Care Facility was announced.
At that time, on February 22, there were 17 people left in the facility, which has room for 98 people.
Anglican Care's Cedar Wharf Lodge in Bulahdelah was set to close but will continue to be run as a nursing home by the board of Stroud Community Lodge.
Mercy Services also operates a Home Care and Community Transport service, which it hopes to transfer to a like provider "whose values align with Mercy Services".
MacKillop Family Services will pick up the family-focused Alcohol and Other Drug and continue to grow its presence in Newcastle.
The board thanked staff and said they appreciated the impact the decision would have on many people in Singleton.
"We want to say thank you for your support and to let you know that this has been a very difficult decision for us to make.
"As we now move forward, we commit to doing all we can to serve the best interests of our residents and staff in the months ahead, and ensure everyone is treated with dignity, respect and kindness in the tradition of our founding Sisters."
Industry-wide challenges include attracting and retaining sufficient numbers of qualified staff, the introduction of registered nurses being required to be at facilities around the clock which began in July, mandatory care minutes increasing to 215 minutes of care and 44 minutes of care from a registered nurse as of this month.
