LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The Editor,

I have become apprised of the community discussions within our community with respect to the depressing demise of Magnetic Island Community Care and particularly the recent Facebook conversations about the ownership of the MICare property at 7 Apjohn Sreet.  So instead of a Facebook reply I thought that maybe Magnetic Community News could be a better way to communicate.

To that end I attach three short papers that:

1.  answer the 7 Apjohn ownership question,

2. explain what we used to be in 2005 and what our mission was, and

3. one of many briefs for the Department of Health seeking some acknowledgement of our worth and our needs. (2006).

I ask that you include these papers in the "letters" department of Magnetic Island Community News.

Yours faithfully,

Phil Landon

Former President Magnetic Island Community Care Association (2003-2015)

MAGNETIC ISLAND COMMUNITY CARE

WHO ARE WE?

Magnetic Island Community Care (MICC) is a non-profit community group that has been caring for the frail aged, younger disabled and in our community since 1997.  Our mission is to assist these people to enable them to comfortably remain in their own homes and prevent premature admission to hospitals, hostels and nursing homes. MICC was started by a small group of caring volunteers with a vision for the future that recognised the need for an Aged and Disabled Care Program for the Island.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Currently we provide social support, centre based activity programs, respite care, meals on wheels, transportation, advocacy and counselling to 74 members of our community. We help prevent social isolation and bring hope and assistance to our clients, particularly those who have no family support. We also provide important support to the carers in our community.

MICC is the sole provider of these services on the Island and we maintain an excellent relationship with the Island's doctors, all of who are very much a part of our community. Many of our referrals come from the Island's GPs.

The organisation is run by a volunteer Management Committee and we employ a full-time coordinator, a casual administrative support officer and several part-time care workers.  These staff and a large band of volunteers provide our target group with essential support.

Operational funding is provided through a joint State/Federal Government initiative, the Home & Community Care Program (HACC). We are contracted to provide over 10,000 hours of support and 950 meals per annum. We in fact provide extra support through our volunteer network.

Extra funds are raised through enthusiastic fundraising efforts that enable special outings and events and will now also help to cover the costs associated with our recently acquired community vehicle. This vehicle enables transport of the infirm to hospitals and medical appointments on the mainland.

HOW DO WE OPERATE?

Because we do not have our own premises, since inception MICC has been operating from various venues as rental opportunities became available and as funding has permitted.  We have operated from the coordinator’s spare bedroom, the RSL hall, a rented storeroom, a rented shop and now from the former credit union office in Picnic Bay which we have been renting for about a year. This building is currently listed for sale. Since 2000, MICC has been seeking a permanent office and a suitable day respite centre.  Success seems a long way off!

WHAT IS A DAY RESPITE CENTER?

The purpose of a Day Respite Centre is to provide social opportunities for those who may live alone or simply wish to mix with others in the same situation.   A respite centre also offers a support service for the carers of the infirm and disabled as well as providing an activities program which is organised by the staff and volunteers with input from the clients.  A day respite centre is at the core of tackling the important issue of social isolation. It is the ‘hub’ of aged support on the Island. A Day Respite Centre also provides the ‘headquarters’ for the service provider - an operating and administration base.

A Day Respite Centre needs to be thoughtfully designed to include security for clients, particularly for those with dementia, convenient vehicle access, disabled access, toilets for the infirm and disabled, suitable acoustic characteristics, plenty of good lighting, quiet areas, spaces for games, a ‘sick’ room, spaces for visiting specialists (podiatrists, nutritionists etc), office space, a pleasant environment and plenty of storage space for all of the resources.  There are many examples of such centres around the state.

Our Centre Based Day Care is presently carried out in a largely inappropriate building under fairly difficult conditions. The present facility, although the best we have had to date, is largely unsuitable for our target group.  Furthermore the prospect of eviction (the building is currently listed for sale) hangs over our head and there is no other more suitable space on the Island. Although clients with dementia are well cared for by staff and volunteers our present premises are far from ideal for those suffering dementia.

Magnetic Island has no suitable rentable premises and when we are evicted we will regress to a piecemeal operation once again with all the extra expense and workload that will precipitate.  In fact, there is a real danger that the loss of our present premises will see an unravelling of the efforts of the past nine years and a subsequent reduction in services for the community.  Renting is not the answer as it brings with it uncertainty and compromise.

A special purpose building would enable MICC to become a focussed centralised agency with which other service providers can interact effectively and efficiently.  A proper facility if fundamental to the health and well-being of our senior citizens and carers.

WHO HAVE WE ASKED FOR HELP?

Since at least as early as 2000 MICC has been seeking funding for construction of a day respite centre on the Island.  With the opening of Nelly Bay Harbour and subsequent development boom we saw rapidly increasing land prices and the disappearance of available and suitable vacant land.

Our first submissions were to Queensland Health (Home and Community Care Program) and in June 2001 we were advised by HACC to work up a submission for funding for a centre.

Subsequent key events:

About July 2001 Advised by HACC that $15000 was provided in for “Professional fees…to allow this project to further develop the proposal to build a purpose built facility on Magnetic Island. This includes community consultation, the development of plans and costings for the facility.”

August 2001 We advertised for expressions of interest to conduct a feasibility study.

February 2002 We appointed Townsville City Council to conduct the study.

October 2002 Submission seeking funding for respite centre forwarded to Queensland Health in accordance with HACC procedures.

March 2003 HACC advised that we were allocated $0 for capital funding.

April 2003 Contacted Queensland Health who advised that we were unsuccessful as there was only $197 000 available for the entire Northern Region in that funding round.

• We asked for written feedback on submission - was told there would be no written feedback.

• We asked why we were given $15 000 to conduct a study if no funding was possible – the response was: ‘Who gave you the $15 000?’

• We asked if they had read our submission.  Were told that, most probably no one had read it as there were no funds available!

Obviously we had been involved in a nugatory exercise.  One that took a lot of effort, sapped energy, and undermined morale.

Despite this setback we continued to submit detailed requests to Queensland Health for funding in each subsequent year.  Our last submission was in 2004. We did not seek funds in 2005 as the Clinic redevelopment proposal was pending.

We have also requested assistance from Mike Reynolds (who continues to be a strong supporter of MICC), from Townsville City Council (identification and donation of suitable Council land), Senator Boswell (identification of funding sources) the Minister for Education (use of vacant Queensland Education land at Nelly Bay) and Peter Lindsay.

Mike Reynolds is presently supporting us in a community submission to Queensland Health to consider collocation of a day respite centre with the redevelopment of the Magnetic Island Clinic.  This proposal, however, seems to have stalled as we have had no response to our request forwarded in October 2005.  Follow up e-mails have prompted the response that ‘at present the Govt and Q Health may be a bit pre-occupied’.

FINDINGS OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY

The Feasibility Study (a needs analysis for the Island) was undertaken by a contracted consultancy group and Dianne Innes for Queensland Health. The analysis revealed that our target client group would greatly benefit from the provision of a functional and safe day respite centre. A facility that would also enable the safe inclusion of dementia clients would assist our dementia program immeasurably.

The facility would enhance the provision of other community services and enable a required improvement in coordination. Coordination and efficiency is greatly reduced by the present fractured operation. Furthermore, the proposed centre could have considerable impact on tackling the important issue of the social isolation of older people; an issue presently being pursued by the Queensland Government through the Cross Government Project to Reduce Social Isolation of Older People.

The feasibility study articulated unequivocally a very strong case for the need of a purpose-built day respite centre and provided strong evidence in support of that need.  Furthermore, the study identified ongoing problems (subsequently re-enforced) with delivery of day respite care on Magnetic Island. These realities include, but are not confined to:

• unsuitability of ad hoc venues for clients who are infirm or disabled and particularly for those suffering with dementia;

• capacity of ad hoc venues to cope with the case load;

• acoustic suitability for the many clients with hearing difficulties;

• uncertain tenure;

• lack of quiet areas;

• lack of staff space; and

• problematical health and safety issues.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has published many studies and papers relating to the ageing population and the rising need for aged care.

WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY NEED?

This community needs a purpose-built day respite centre so that aged and disabled care services can be continued and expanded to meet identified future needs.

As raised in our submissions to Queensland Health, suitable Island land is fast becoming scarce as unrelenting demand depletes stock and pushes values higher.

Costs (2002 prices) calculated by Dillon Architects:

Construction  : $727 000.00

Land: $110 000.00

Fees: $  75 000.00

TOTAL: $ 912 000.00

Since 2002 land prices have doubled and construction costs have increased taking the estimated total cost to $1,200,000.

Alternatively, an identified existing property would cost around $950,000. Modifications would cost approximately $20,000.

WHAT ELSE HAVE WE DONE?

MICC has begun seeking donations from regional large business organisations in an endeavour to raise funds to establish a centre.  This initiative is only in its early stages, but we have received some guarded, verbal support.  However with a target of around $1m, this is a long-term project.  We have established a trust account which presently has a balance of zero.

WHAT IS COMMUNITY CARE?

Written February 2005

Magnetic Island Community Care has been caring for the frail aged, younger disabled and carers in our community since 1997.  Our mission is to assist these people to enable them to comfortably remain in their own homes.  MICC was started by a small group of caring volunteers with a vision for the future that recognised the need for an Aged and Disabled Care Program for the Island.

MICC is the sole provider on the Island for social support, transport, counselling/support/information and advocacy, centre based day respite, and meals on wheels.  The agency maintains an excellent relationship with the Island's doctors, all of whom are very much a part of our community. Many of our referrals come from the Island's GPs.

The organisation is run by a volunteer Management Committee who employs a coordinator, an administrative support officer and three care workers.  These staff and a large band of volunteers provide our target group with eight areas of service.

Operational funding is provided through a joint State/Federal Government initiative, the Home & Community Care Program (HACC).  Extra funds are raised through enthusiastic fundraising efforts which enable special outings and events and will now also help to cover the costs associated with our recently acquired community vehicle.

HOW DOES COMMUNITY CARE ASSIST THE COMMUNITY?

These are the eight areas of service with some statistics which display the level of assistance being currently provided to our target group.

Assessment

To receive HACC assistance each prospective client must be assessed to determine if they are HACC eligible to receive such services.  Because funds are provided to assist a number of clients approved each year by Queensland Health in each different service area, it can become necessary to prioritise the needs of individuals to make sure that those with the highest needs are catered for first.  The assessment process allows the coordinator to assess the level of each individuals need, and if accepted as eligible, to develop a suitable care plan to meet those needs.  These care plans are reviewed constantly and can be subsequently adapted according to each person’s changing needs.  Currently we are funded to provide 65 clients with 200 hours of assessment time for the year.

Case Planning, Review & Co-ordination

These are activities that relate to the coordination and planning of the delivery of services which are directly attributable to an individual client.  We are currently funded to provide 211 hours of this service per year over 65 clients.

Centre Based Day Care – better known as Tuesday Club

This service provides a place for our clients to meet therefore enabling participation in group activities. These activities are commonly conducted in a centre - based setting (presently the RSL hall) but they also include group excursions and activities conducted by the centre staff but held out of the centre.  These include trips away to other destinations of interest for 3-4 days and also monthly trips to Townsville for shopping, ten pin bowling and other activities.   During the warmer months we provide three sessions a week of water exercises.  These activities provide our clients the opportunity for continued social interaction within the community.  MICC is currently funded to provide 53 clients with a total of 7,507 hours of this service/year.

Social Support

Social Support can be provided in the client’s home or may take the form of accompanying the client on an excursion or trip.  The support is provided to them as an individual and assists them to more fully participate in society.  Support also includes keeping them company, helping with paperwork, accompanying them shopping, banking or when attending appointments.  We are currently funded to provide 30 clients a total of 2406 hrs of this service /year.

Respite Care For Carers

This is assistance provided to carers so that they may have relief from their caring role and pursue their other activities and interests.  The motivation underlying the assistance to the carer is essential: a substitute carer is being provided so the carer gains time out.  Currently MICC is funded to provide 5 carers 509 hrs of respite/year.

Transport

This is assistance provided so that the client may attend centre-based activities and outings.  Currently Magnetic Island Bus Service is engaged to provide this service for our clients.  With the arrival of our community vehicle donated by the Queensland Government through the auspices of Mike Reynolds, we are now able to provide an extra level of transport. We can assist those with mobility problems, those at risk of falls and those in need of an advocate to get to their medical appointments in Townsville safely, expeditiously and with dignity.  This also has the potential to lighten the Queensland Ambulance Service workload.  The community vehicle will also be used to improve service delivery on the Island by providing a safe transport method for Social support and respite activities.

Counselling/Support, Information and Advocacy

This assistance type covers a number of supportive services to help clients and carers deal with their situation.  The most important such service is acting as an advocate for those who require such assistance when attending medical consultations.  We are currently funded to provide 172 hrs/year for a total of 15 clients.

Meals on Wheels

These meals are prepared at the Arkies Kitchen and delivered to the client’s home three days each week by a team of dedicated volunteer drivers.  Extra meals can be delivered to provide a seven day service if required. Recipients pay $5/meal, which consists of three courses and a juice drink.  For eligibility for this service a referral from a GP, Blue Nurse or from our Coordinator is necessary.  We are currently funded to provide 19 clients/year with a total of 985 meals.

Phil Landon

President

12 Feb 2005

Who owns Magnetic Island Community Care’s property at 7 Apjohn St Horseshoe Bay?

In 2007 following years of written submissions and meetings with Qld Health, Jenny Hill (Former Mayor Townsville City Council), Mike Reynolds (Former State Member for Townsville) and Peter Lindsay (Former Federal Member for Herbert) I received a telephone call from Mike Reynolds with the news that MI Community Care would be receiving just over $800,000 to purchase and modify number 7 Apjohn St Horseshoe Bay.

The contract identifies the purchaser as Magnetic Island Community Care Association Incorporated and was signed by me as President.

Following purchase settlement modification plans were finalised and works commenced.

All documents pertaining to the purchase, building works and subsequent disposal were kept on file at 7 Apjohn St and should still be there.

Subsequent Disposal of the property

I understood that, with State Government approval, the Association could sell the property and use the proceeds to purchase a replacement.  However, if the Association was to be wound up, dissolved and to cease operation, ownership of the property would be transferred to the Queensland Government.

That was my understanding at purchase, but the legislation may have changed between then and now.  There could be an argument that 7 Apjohn St remains the property of Magnetic Island Community Care Association until the Association members vote at a General Meeting to dispose of it.

Phil Landon

Former President (2003-2015)