Southcare celebrates 30 years of caring for the elderly in the Sutherland Shire

Southcare (Aged and Extended Care Services) at The Sutherland Hospital has been leading the way in providing healthcare to the elderly community in the Sutherland Shire and marked its 30th anniversary on Thursday 23 May 2024. The occasion not only celebrated this significant milestone but also honoured the founder, the late Dr George Stathers, by renaming the facility "Southcare: The George Stathers Building”.

The importance of caring for our elderly population has never been greater. The population of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) and the Sutherland Shire is ageing, with the 2021 ABS figures showing that 13.5% of the Sutherland Shire population is over the age of 70.

Dr George Stathers’ vision still stands today with Southcare providing continuous care to patients who are being discharged from hospital to their home. In November 1993, following the amalgamation of existing aged care teams and programs into a ‘one stop shop in aged care’ for patients, carers and service providers, the service known as Southcare commenced operation.

Professor Peter Gonski, current Director, Aged Care and Rehabilitation, Sutherland Hospital and SESLHD, states “Southcare provides a well-developed and integrated aged care service that meets the needs of the elderly population.

“The role of aged care services is to promote good health, optimise function, but most of all maximise quality of life. Carers are absolutely integral to this and are assisted by the services in the Sutherland Shire to give elderly people the quality healthcare they certainly deserve,”

Professor Gonski explained that providing aged care services is a team effort with non-government services, residential aged care facilities and general practitioners all working together to provide quality healthcare services for the elderly.