A BACKLASH has come from the Collie community after ValleyView Residence claimed it closed a wing and 14 beds due to a lack of demand.
Messages on the Collie Mail Facebook page prompted ValleyView operator Southern Cross Care to issue another media release.
Southern Cross Care said it could not discuss specific cases, but the wing would re-opened if there was an increase in demand.
"Until demand increases, ValleyView Residence will operate as a three-wing, 50-bed facility," a Southern Cross Care official said.
"Together with the Riverview Residence board's endorsement, we have been openly communicating with residential care applicants over recent weeks to ensure they understand this.
"Applicants who have completed the application process in recent weeks have been informed they will be placed on a waiting list until demand for the fourth wing has increased to make the wing viable again, or until a suitable alternative bed becomes vacant."
The Southern Cross Care official said the company had spoken to Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray in order to jointly approach the commonwealth and state government's need to address sustainability and viability issues with appropriate support to care operators in the region.
Mr Murray said the question still remaining was why ValleyView took only high-care patients when other South West facilities took both high and low care.
"I have two people who are looking for high-care ac commodation and would not be surprised if there are more and what has happened to the respite care previously offered?" he asked.
On the Collie Mail Facebook page Rosslyn Cashmore said: "There isn't a lack of demand, my father-in-law was made to go out of town as we were told you had to wait for someone to pass away before positions become available and friends were told ValleyView didn't have the staff so their loved ones are in Bunbury," .
"..it sounds to me as if it is cost-cutting measures."
