Catholic Health Australia, the largest non-Government provider grouping of health, community and aged care services, has amended its constitution to allow UnitingCare Queensland to be the first non-Catholic provider to join.
UnitingCare Queensland, which provides aged care through Blue Care, ARRCS and Ny-Ku Byun Elders Village, is the 40th member to join after Catholic Health Australia members changed its constitution to permit the inclusion of any “organisation that conducts and controls a health, aged care and/or community care service, and which service or facility is conducted, to the satisfaction of the Board, as a Not For Profit and in the spirit of Christ’s ministry of healing.”
This move will allow other Not For Profit Christian health, aged care and/or community care providers to be part of CHA’s advocacy, community and ministry.
Catholic Health Australia, UnitingCare Australia, Anglicare Australia and Baptist Care Australia formed the faith-based members of the Australian Aged Care Collaboration, which has now taken a step back following the formation of the new peak body Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA).
“This is a historic moment for Catholic Health Australia and for our ministry. I am grateful to our members and to our church leaders for embracing this wonderful ecumenical opportunity,” Catholic Health Services Chief Executive Pat Garcia (pictured) said.
Catholic Health Australia represents organisations accounting for 12% of aged care facilities, and 20% of home care and support for seniors.
