Facility manager Karen Hodgson said the decision to list the aged care crentre as being for up for sale was made with expansion in mind.

Mrs Hodgson said the decision has especially been motivated by the impeding royal commission into age-care.

This week Prime Minister Scott Morison set the terms of reference for the royal commission, with the final report to be delivered no later than April 30, 2020.  

Much like the draw in a bingo game, the final outcomes of the royal commission will be anyone's guess.

However, Mrs Hodgson is convinced that there will be an increase in the ratio of certified nurses required to attend residents at aged care centres, especially those requiring end-stage and palliative care which involve 24-hour nursing.

Mrs Hodgson said that if the ratio were to increase many residents would be entitled to leave Coleambally to receive end-stage and palliative care at Griffith Base Hospital.

At the moment Cypress View has 27 staff including two registered nurses, two enrolled nurses and a number of other carers who attend to the 19 elderly residents who occupy the lodge.

The lodge also provides care to eight Coleambally residents at their houses.

Mrs Hodgson said that by listing the lodge for sale now, the board can avoid being pressured and can ensure that conditions are set in which the buyers are not permitted to decrease the number of beds and staff working at the lodge.

“We are not talking about this facility leaving, we have some strict non negotiables, the facility will stay in Coleambally and the beds and residents will stay and the staff are guaranteed a job,” Mr Hodgson said.

“Expansion would be a great thing, providing that really high level end stage care and even palliative care for the whole community not just the elderly.

“Because we are so far from Griffith, if people are able to pass away in their own community that would be great,” Mrs Hodgson said.

Mrs Hodgson said staff have gotten on-board with the idea of expansion following the announcement, with many nurses expressing interest in potentially receiving further training and even becoming registered.

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