Sods turned for resthome upgrade
A RESTHOME extension under way in West Otago will expand the range of care the facility can offer, operators say.
West Otago Health Ltd chairman Allister Body said when the Ribbonwood Country Home in Tapanui was first conceived about 12 years ago, the overseeing trust planned to set a room aside for respite and palliative care, as demand required.
But due to demand for permanent residency when opened in 2014, it had not been possible to do so, Mr Body said.
However, a $1.65 million extension begun this week would add five more rooms to the complex, one of which would now fulfil that longstanding ambition, and give the facility greater flexibility of care.
‘‘The extension will serve a twofold purpose. When we first built Ribbonwood it was too small, and the 14 rooms were quickly filled with permanent residents.
❛ That was always part of the plan, allowing locals to remain locally in a resthome facility for the community
‘‘That was always part of the plan, allowing locals to remain locally in a resthome facility for the community. But it meant we were without a dedicated respite/palliative care room for ondemand need.
‘‘In addition, at present, the facility essentially breaks even.
‘‘So the new rooms will improve the financial viability and sustainability of the facility, with minimal disruption to residents.’’
Mr Body said the extension would be built parallel to the existing residential wing with an enclosed bridge link, and include two additional lounges and a treatment/ hairdressing room.
Using the original building as a blueprint had simplified the new project.
‘‘It’s a copypaste job to some extent. The new rooms are identical to the existing facility’s, providing hospitallevel care and generous space with en suites.’’
As during the original,
$3.25 million project, the community had shown ‘‘phenomenal’’ generosity in its support, Mr Body said.
‘‘We’ve about $300,000 of the total to raise still, and interested parties will have several further opportunities to offer support during the coming months.’’
During preliminary landscaping work yesterday, residents Sadie Lietze and Joyce Kane were eager to take up a shovel and muck in.
Mrs Lietze — no stranger to manual labour having been a ‘‘land girl’’ during World War 2 — said it was fascinating to see work get under way.
‘‘It will give us all something to watch during the next few months.’’
The extension is expected to open in April next year.