Opal healthcare turns the sod at Winston Hillside

Opal Healthcare turns the sod at Winston Hillside, one of eight new homes in Western Sydney, signalling its commitment to the region.

Opal Healthcare today turns the sod at its newest specialist aged care home, Winston Hillside in Western Sydney. The event, attended by The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell, marks Opal Healthcare's commitment to the local community, with construction beginning on the $33 million, 95-bed home; one of eight new developments planned by Opal for Western Sydney by 2021.

Western Sydney has Australia’s fastest growing population, with a projected increase to 9.9 million by 20361. Responding to current and projected growth, Opal Healthcare is constructing new homes at Bankstown and Blacktown, opening in mid to late 2018, with a strong growth trajectory for additional homes in areas such as Toongabbie, Penrith, Wentworthville and Marsden Park.

Winston Hillside will be critical to support the ageing population of the Western Sydney region. Opal’s developments in the region will also provide jobs for the local community, with an estimated 500 new construction jobs, and 1,100 aged care jobs.

Sean Bilton, Opal’s Acting Managing Director, spoke of the importance of this aged care home for the ageing community, which will be located alongside ‘The Willows’, Stockland’s highly regarded existing retirement living village.

“We understand how important it is for our residents to stay connected with friends and family. Our state-of-the-art aged care home will be located alongside ‘The Willows,’ providing a true continuum of care to residents, so they can maintain their independence and stay in their community for as long as possible. This partnership ensures people have access to the right care at the right time in their lives, without having to move out of the community they know and love.”

Speaking about Opal’s new home in Winston Hills, The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell said “I welcome this innovative centre that will serve the aged community with high need care. The Willow’s residential care has been a huge success in meeting the needs of older Australian’s seeking to live in an over 55’s community. The Opal Aged Care home will enable residents who require a greater level of care the ability to stay within The Willows community, close to their family and friends. I thank Opal Aged Care for their commitment to older Australians in providing access to all levels of care within the Hills district.”

As part of its continuing commitment to providing expert care to residents living with dementia, a need which is projected to increase by over 25 per cent in Australia by 20252, Winston Hillside will feature a memory support wing, with 19 beds dedicated to specialist dementia care and beautiful courtyard gardens.

1. ‘Western Sydney population explosion to cause future employment headaches, report finds,’ Australian Broadcasting Corporation, August 2017. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-21/western-sydney-facing-job- shortage-of-300000-report/8828190
2. Dementia Statistics, Dementia Australia, January 2018. https://www.dementia.org.au/statistics