Client: Japara Health Care
Location: South West Rocks, NSW
Project Value: ~$2.5 million
Project Duration: March 2019 – May 2019
Project Type: Live Aged Care Facility Upgrade
Strategic Objective
To upgrade critical aged‑care infrastructure in a live operational environment, improving resident safety, staff amenity, and compliance with contemporary Australian standards following the Royal Commission into Aged Care, while maintaining continuity of care and daily operations.
The Challenge
The Sawtelle project was delivered within a fully operational aged‑care facility, presenting the inherent complexities of working around vulnerable residents, clinical staff, visitors, and multiple internal stakeholders.
Beyond the typical challenges of healthcare construction in an active environment, the project faced two significant constraints:
- Regulatory pressure: Works needed to address identified risks and compliance gaps highlighted by the Royal Commission into Aged Care, requiring precision, diligence, and sensitivity.
- Regional resourcing limitations: Sawtelle’s remote location meant there were limited local trades with the required level of competency for specialist healthcare works, necessitating careful sourcing and coordination of skilled contractors from other regional centres.
Our Approach
Our approach was grounded in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and meticulous staging.
Key elements included:
- Delivering works in clearly defined stages to minimise disruption to residents and staff.
- Close coordination with facility management to align construction activities with daily care routines.
- Proactive engagement with specialist regional trades, ensuring the right skills were available at the right time despite geographic constraints.
- Maintaining strict site controls to uphold safety, infection control, and operational continuity in a healthcare setting.
Solution & Key Deliverables
The project delivered a comprehensive upgrade across multiple areas of the facility, including:
- Renovation of staff kitchen and staff meals areas, significantly improving staff amenity and functionality.
- Upgrade of the multi‑purpose centre, enhancing a shared space used by tenants for daily activities and community engagement.
- Provision and installation of new lifts, improving accessibility and movement throughout the facility.
- Renovation of the dementia ward, including targeted upgrades to meet current Australian standards and mitigate identified risks.
All works were completed while the facility remained operational, with no compromise to resident care.
Risks and Challenges Managed
- Operating within a live healthcare environment with vulnerable residents.
- Coordinating multiple stakeholder groups with competing priorities.
- Managing workforce availability and logistics in a remote regional location.
- Ensuring full compliance with evolving aged‑care standards and regulatory expectations.
Value‑Added Differentiators
- Healthcare expertise in live environments: Proven ability to deliver complex upgrades without disrupting care delivery.
- Regional delivery capability: Access to, and coordination of, skilled trades across regional NSW where local capacity is limited.
- Regulatory insight: Deep understanding of aged‑care compliance requirements post‑Royal Commission.
- Stakeholder‑first mindset: Clear communication and collaboration with client representatives and facility staff throughout the project lifecycle.
Outcome
The Sawtelle project was successfully delivered on time and within scope, resulting in safer, more compliant facilities and significantly improved environments for both residents and staff. The upgrades strengthened the client’s readiness for regulatory scrutiny while enhancing day‑to‑day functionality in a challenging operational setting.
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