St Francis Aged Care (Orange)

Catholic Healthcare was established in 1994 by the Bishops of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as a response to changing needs in the provision of aged and community services. Our history and proud tradition of providing care began as an initiative of six religious groups. The Sisters of Charity The Sisters of St Joseph, NSW Province The St John of God Brothers The Little Company of Mary The St John of God Sisters The Sisters of Mercy, Singleton Catholic Healthcare’s first major work was the development of a health service at Windsor. In partnership with NSW Health, and now known as the Hawkesbury District Health Service, it continues today to provide a comprehensive range of health and community services to the people of the Hawkesbury region. Catholic Healthcare’s early days focused on the provision of healthcare services, with Catholic Healthcare being requested to manage Lourdes Hospital, Dubbo and St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bathurst and, for a short period, the Mater Misericordea Hospital, Newcastle. From these beginnings, Catholic Healthcare soon responded to emerging needs in the provision of residential aged care. In 1998, Catholic Healthcare acquired Bodington, a residential aged care service, from the Red Cross and then partnered with religious orders, parishes, dioceses, and community groups in the provision of aged care across metropolitan and regional New South Wales. Developing and redeveloping residential aged care services also became a focus for the organisation, ensuring its services met the needs of residents and in particular, provided a home-like environment where residents and families would feel welcome. Aged care development and redevelopment projects continue today and will continue in the future. In 2007, Catholic Healthcare took its first steps outside NSW, working with the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Archdiocese of Brisbane to provide residential aged care services in Brisbane and Ipswich.