Four Mid North Coast not for profit services are merging to become Omnicare Alliance.
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Meals on Wheels Mid North Coast, Hastings District Respite Care, Parklands Cottage and Hastings Home Modifications entered the merger agreement on February 16.
Omnicare Alliance joint chief executive officers (CEO) Raymond Gouck and John Carroll said they believe they will be able to gain better access to government funding if they are seen as a united front rather than individual services.
The shared vision of the CEOs was to create a larger organisation which will establish a one-stop-shop and concierge service to support people through the National Disability Insurance Service and aged care systems.
Omnicare Alliance will serve the communities of Port Macquarie, Sawtell, Kempsey, Wauchope, Camden Haven, Taree, and Great Lakes.
The merger process began in January and will be complete by August.
The Hastings District Respite Care located on Morton Street will be the central hub of the new operation.
Mr Gouck said the merger is going to be one of the key drivers of better quality care in the community.
“Our objective is to bring together a variety of integrated services to grow quality care back into our community regardless of where the funding comes from or what the need is,” he said.
The ceos said no staff will be laid off or made redundant through the rebranding process.
“One of the principal things that Raymond and I agreed on when we first were putting together this idea of a merger was that if it would incur major layoffs and redundancies then we wouldn’t do it,” Mr Carroll said.
“We are creating jobs through the merger.”
A concierge role has been established which enables getting people into the services as quickly as possible.
Mr Gouck said Omnicare is going to act as a facilitator of getting people into services, gaining funding for the community and allowing people to choose where funding should be spent.
“Our goal is to look holistically and broadly,” he said.
“Let’s look at what is required for our community and how many different types of services they require.”
The two CEOs have different role structures. Mr Gouck is in charge of funding, compliance and enterprise. Meanwhile Mr Carroll is operating the side of branding, marketing and people.
The CEOs believe Omnicare Alliance is set up to meet the challenge of an ageing population on the Mid North Coast.