Boutique aged care provider Ibis Care has added another residential care home to its portfolio, following hot on the heels of Hall & Prior Aged Care purchasing Blue Haven Bonaira.
As a provider of residential aged care services, retirement living and respite care, Ibis Care’s acquisition of The Palms aged care home in Kirrawee builds on its existing commitment to Sydney’s St George and Sutherland Shire region.
The provider, which has operated for almost 20 years, has a notable presence in Sydney’s southeastern suburbs. The site is a stone’s throw from an existing aged care home in Miranda, while they also have homes in Blakehurst, Bexley and Mortdale.
“I am excited to be extending our services to support more of the Sutherland Shire’s ageing community by acquiring The Palms in Kirrawee effective from 31st May,” La Stacey Baramy, Chief Executive Officer, explained.
“We are dedicated to providing residents of The Palms with continuity of care through familiar faces and ongoing high standards. We look forward to supporting residents and enhancing their lives through personalised care and joyful experiences.”
Existing staff are expected to remain at the site as Ms Baramy told The Leader they are committed to providing consistency and familiarity to residents.
“We recognise that residents have a strong connection to the staff at The Palms, and we want to keep that going,” she added.
“It’s comforting for families to know that their loved one has 24/7 healthcare support that they need. Ageing in place is also a feature at The Palms and all Ibis Care homes which means that as residents do not need to move to another residence as their care needs increase.
The Palms acquisition is undeniably another feather in the cap for Ms Baramy, a former Director of Care and Community at St Basil’s NSW/ACT, who is flying under the radar as an executive to watch.
Heading south to the Illawarra region, Kiama Council named Hall & Prior Aged Care as the preferred tenderer for Blue Haven Bonaira. The sale applies to the Bonaira Home and not Terralong Village, an independent living community.
Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly welcomed Hall & Prior to Kiama, praising the outcome as a win for the local community.
“We reached a significant decision just recently and I believe it was a courageous one as well. It’s a good deal for Council, it’s a good deal for the community and for the residents of Blue Haven,” he said.
“With two and a half years of external pressure, internal turmoil and ever-growing debt, with this decision we’ve overcome all that. […] The point of sustainability has been reached, removing debt and creating security.”
Blue Haven, while accredited until April 2025, has struggled with compliance in recent years. An Accreditation Assessment in 2022 resulted in 11 unmet standards being reported. However, hard work resulted in significant improvement with all 42 criteria of the Accreditation Standards met this year.
“This unannounced visit underscores the robust compliance and regulatory framework of the ACQSC. We view external feedback as a valuable opportunity to enhance our services and ensure the highest level of care and safety for our residents,” Joe Gaudiosi, Chief Operating Officer of Kiama Council, said.
As for Hall & Prior, the Blue Haven will be their 37th home once the sale is finalised; they have 23 in Western Australia and 14 in New South Wales.
“Our dedicated commitment to providing quality aged care and accommodation is our priority, and we are excited to bring our experience to the residents of Blue Haven Bonaira and associated services.
“We are looking forward to being part of the Illawarra region and having a long-term relationship with Kiama Council and the local community,” Graeme Prior, CEO of Hall & Prior, added.
